Strawberry Hill

Mary Ann Hoberman, Children's Poet Laureate, makes a successful foray into middle-grade fiction. With her poet's ear she's able to connect with what's going on in a 10-year-old's mind. It's hard to imagine a more gifted and believable narrator of girls' roles than Cassandra Morris. Morris is utterly convincing as Allie, making us feel her anxiety over moving to a new town and leaving behind her best friend. Yet Morris portrays Allie's great resolve and pluck as she determines to seek new friendships and find her way. Ultimately, it's Morris's thoughtful delivery as Allie begins to rethink some of her first impressions that will leave listeners with that feeling of satisfaction that good books furnish. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

July 6, 2009
In this old-fashioned coming-of-age story, set during the Great Depression, 10-year-old Allie's father finds a new job, and her family moves to a street called Strawberry Hill. Poet and first-time novelist Hoberman draws a full portrait of life on Strawberry Hill—where in fact there are no strawberries—as Allie agonizes over her conflicting feelings about the two other girls on her street: pretty, popular Martha, whom Allie wants as a best friend; and pudgy, sweet Mimi, who wants to be best friends with Allie. Circumstances of time and place are woven into the narrative, from details like the cost of popsicles to larger themes of poverty and prejudice. A number of Allie's friends' fathers are out of work, and Martha's best friend Cynthia calls Allie a “dirty Jew” at one point (Allie notes, “I wondered why I still wanted to be best friends with someone who still wanted to be best friends with someone like Cynthia”). Allie's plight will be utterly relatable to contemporary readers and the resolution is both satisfying and realistic. Final art not seen by PW
. Ages 8–12.