Lois Lowry once again demonstrates her skill as a storyteller in "Tree. Table. Book." The protagonist, 11-year-old Sophie, finds an unlikely friend in her elderly neighbor, also named Sophie, who is 88 years old. Lowry's characters are richly developed, and while the narrative delves into poignant topics such as the Holocaust and dementia, it also carries themes of hope and resilience. This book would make a valuable addition to the shelves of upper elementary or middle school libraries, offering young readers a moving yet uplifting exploration of friendship and the human experience.

Tree. Table. Book. unfolds from young Sophie’s point of view. And it does so in a rambling, sort of stream-of-consciousness way that will speak to author Lois Lowry’s audience. In fact, Lowry clearly knows her audience and writes directly to them. And she tackles a hard topic in a way that doesn’t diminish its seriousness or ignore readers’ intelligence. It’s the mark of an excellent writer, and Lowry is one.

Young Sophie’s voice is clear from the start. She’s that quirky type of kid we all know that does things her own way, doesn’t quite fit in with the other kids and is OK with it. She’s a vibrant character who readers will immediately like.

The relationship between the two Sophies is tender. Many readers will equate the relationship to their own with a grandparent. And many will also recognize cognitive decline and the effect it has on everyone.

At its heart, Tree. Table. Book. is a book about friendship. It’s a wonderful read that would be an excellent choice for families to read together when facing similar circumstances.

I was 17 when my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's [and 18 when her sister was diagnosed with Dementia] and it completely changed all of our lives. I remember coming home from my seven months in Brazil and finding her so dramatically changed that it was frightening [and I was 20 years old]; she had forgotten how to play the piano, something she had done since she was a child and I remember going home and crying over this loss - both for her and for all of us that loved to hear her play. She knew none of us when she died and I will always remember just how difficult that was for my Mom and my Aunt as they navigated caring for her and then the grief of her passing.

My Dad died in 2016 and within a year of that, I noticed my Mom was struggling with remembering things and how it seemed to get worse, taper off, then get worse again. She had to take the tests that Sophie in the book has to take and she also did not do well. For about 4 years, we had my great-nieces with us almost every weekend and for several weeks in the summer and it was so good for her. They were 13, 10, and 7 the last time we saw them and they absolutely knew what was going on and dealing with her forgetfulness, helping her and being little bugs of encouragement was something they did every time they were here. To those who are saying this was not how middle-graders would act or that this was "too much" for most middle-graders, are not giving them enough credit. Even our precious seven year old knew what was happening and was old enough to understand; I think that this book is perfect for middle-graders and for kids below and above; especially if they have someone in their lives that is currently dealing with this horrible disease.

Today, as I was reading this, my Mom is having a very bad day. It ebbs and flows, but as of late, it is mostly bad days. I never thought I would have to deal with this twice in my lifetime and I will admit it is overwhelming at times. I understand how young Sophie struggles with the idea of her friend going away [to assisted living] because I often think about that myself. I am glad she was able to see just how important it was for older Sophie to be safe and that she needed more care, even if it was difficult to let this beloved friend go.

This book made me cry; actually I cried through most of it. I didn't really know what this book was about when I requested it [Lois Lowry is a HUGE favorite and I just requested without seeing what it was about] and so I was surprised when the book started to learn it was about what I deal with every single day. And so I cried. I cried for the characters in the book. I cried for my Mom. I cried for those who know and love my Mom. And I cried for myself. And then I dried my tears and went and did what needed to be done for the day.

I think this book will really help people who have loved ones who are struggling with Alzheimer's, Dementia or ANY kind of debilitating illness. It is a reminder to love, and love deeply. Listen to the stories because they are important and when the loved ones are gone, you will be the only one to continue the sharing of the stories [there are SO MANY THINGS I wish I had asked my grandmother]. And I think it will help people remember that patience is the best tool to have in these cases, along with love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lois Lowry, and HarperCollins Children's Books/Clarion Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie and Sophie are neighbors who do not let an age gap deter their friendship. Lowry weaves a tale of compassion and kindness tackling memory issues in a way that kids will understand.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lois Lowry and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw Lois Lowry had a new book out, I knew I had to read it! Tree. Table. Book. tells the tale of two Sophies, one young and one old. Soon though, the old Sophie is not as sharp as she should be and her son is ready to bring her home. Young Sophie works hard to bring her memories back so she can stay. What memories will Young Sophie bring up and will Old Sophie be able to remember them?

A sweet tale that shoes friendship has no age and the a wonderful story for kids to hopefully better understand what Alzheimer's is like.

This book was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The two Sophias make a lasting connection as one tries desperately to help the other. Dealing with an issue that lots of young people have had to deal with this book will truly connect readers to the characters.

Lois Lowry's newest book takes us deep into the friendship between two Sophies... one an eleven year old little girl, and the other, her elderly neighbor who knows so much about the world. These two Sophies are best friends and the younger adores her mentor. Until one day, eleven year old Sophie overhears a conversation about her neighbor loosing some of her memory and needing to go live with her son. So she takes it upon herself to coach the elderly Sophie in order that she may pass the cognition test and stay in her home. Throughout the book, young Sophie comes to know more about her friend's past including stories of war, hunger, and family.

This middle grade book goes where most will not. Tree.Table.Book is a heart-felt story of love, loss, and aging. It takes a very difficult topic and presents it in such a way that it's real, but not overwhelming. It's also an incredible story of friendship across the generations, reminding all of us that there's much to be learned from the elderly. This book is sad, and hopeful... filled with compassion and caring... and ultimately acceptance by both parties.

And while I'd love to whole heartedly recommend it, there were two instances that parents should be aware of. One, eleven year old Sophie makes a reference to a game that she plays with elderly Sophie mentioning that "we even have a same-sex couple" and she goes on to describe them. Later, she uses the phrase "D*** it all!" Neither detail added anything to furthering the story and didn't feel like something that was necessary in middle grade fiction.

This is one of those books that I would hesitantly recommend. Ages 8-12 seems too young, but maybe a middle school audience would be more suitable for the topic. Or Tree.Table.Book could be used as a read aloud with discussion. The topic is sweet and relevant, but may be too much for younger audiences to fully comprehend.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Another wonderful book by Lowry! This book explores the friendship between Sophie and Sophie--one finding her way in school and the beginning of her life and one facing the challenges of leaving her life. The stories they share and the lessons they learn are powerful. This is a must-have for any classroom or child's library.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Clarion Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by an icon, Lois Lowry, author of The Giver and many more. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 shining stars!

Sophie doesn't quite fit in with the other girls in her elementary glass, but her one favorite place is spending time with her elderly neighbor, another Sophie. But lately, the elder Sophie is demonstrating some memory issues, and young Sophie overhears her parents talk about her son coming to take her for an evaluation with a possible move to an assisted living facility. Young Sophie is determined to not let that happen. She studies the cognitive tests that Sophie will likely be faced with, and starts practicing with her. The one she struggles most with is remembering three words for a given amount of time - young Sophie uses Tree, Table, Book. But those three simple words open up stories for both Sophies.

Oh my goodness, this book is beyond wonderful. So many of us can relate to young Sophie - just not quite fitting in with the others, preferring to read instead of play. And we can all relate to watching elderly people struggle with the effects of aging. This book, in Lowry's trademark beautiful writing, gently shows us the value of friendship, of pausing and listening to the stories others have to share. This is an absolute must read for all ages - highly recommended!

Lois Lowry is known for putting real life issues into a wonderful storyline. Her newest book, Tree. Table. Book., lives up to that reputation. In an interview about the upcoming book, she notes how often she writes about the relationship between the elderly and the young. This book explores that connection with the rapport between two Sophies, one who has just turned eleven and her best friend who is eighty-eight.
The first and primary life issue can be guessed early by any reader with experience in tests for dementia. The first chapter has four sentences and three words – House. Umbrella. Apple. – with the admonition to remember the words. The second life issue is the common one of not being accepted into the middle school “in” group that feeds her friendship with her neighbor Ralphie and their other friendship with seven-year-old Oliver whose description places him on the autism spectrum and adds the third issue of acceptance of people who may be different.
Lois nails the voice of an eleven-year-old nerd in great humor as young Sophie gives writing advice and vocabulary understanding. She also creates a sympathetic character as the young Sophie is in denial and seeking unrealistic fixes to the problems that the elder Sophie faces in the early stages of dementia.
This book will be an enjoyable read for anyone who is middle grade and up. It will be particularly appropriate for those dealing with a loved one who has dementia, perhaps as a family read-aloud with discussion to follow. I read it in an advance reading copy (twice!). It is out today, April 23, and is available in the usual places.

A delightful book with lovable best friends, young and old Sophie. I love how this story this dips into truths about living in WW2 at a level appropriate for children. A new classic from Lois Lowry!

Lois Lowry introduces the reader to two Sophies, a young girl and an elderly woman who develop a caring and loving relationship. As the elder Sophie shows signs of losing short term memory, she reveals stories from long ago. But, there is a time in the present when her memory loss is addressed. Tree, Table, Book is a warm and lovely story, not just for children.

This book is told from the point of view of an 11-year-old child. She describes her neighborhood and the people there as well as school experiences. The main theme of the story is the friendship between the elderly Sophie and the y0ung Sophie. It was good that the elderly lady was portrayed in a positive light. Her story is the story of many elderly people. The chapters are very short and there are many of them, and the story seemed to drag along in the beginning. It was however a story filled with some sadness as well as humor and joy of kindness and friendship. This is a story for kids and adults alike, a reminder to treasure friendships in all their different forms.

I received this advanced reader copy from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I don’t care how old you are or if you like Middle Grade literature, I think you should read this book. It’s a quick read but so powerful and emotional, and so much meaning is expertly layered into the story. I mean, it’s Lois Lowry for goodness’ sake! I admire her so much, not just because of her amazing writing, but also because of her perspective of literature for children and how it promotes human connection. Her older and well-known works inspired me as a student, and her newer works and thoughts on the genre as a whole have guided me as a children’s librarian.

ANYWAY, back to the book. (Sorry not sorry for gushing.). The friendship between the two Sophies and their connection is something that spoke straight into my heart and will stick with me for a long time. Told from the younger Sophie’s point of view, the world seems at once so simple and so confusing at the same time. Both Sophies live so authentically and see their worlds in such interesting ways… I thought over and over how much I wished that these characters (including the supporting characters - I especially adored Oliver who reminded me very much of my oldest son) were people I could know in real life.

It’s interesting to me that this book deals with intergenerational relationships, and it is actually a tool that will promote this connection. I feel that this book is meant to be shared. I plan to encourage teachers and parents to read this book aloud with children. The topics of dementia as well as older Sophie’s stories (I don’t want to spoil anything!) are going to naturally foster rich discussion and curiosity. While this book is powerful when read on its own, I think its potential as a shared reading experience is limitless.

I hope this is a book that finds its way into the hands of many readers, and I feel thankful that it found its way into mine!

While I have only read a few of Lois Lowry's many books (The Giver, Number the Stars, and The Willoughbys series), when I saw her latest on NetGalley, I requested it right away. Tree. Table. Book. is a tale of 2 Sophies - one young (age 11) and one older (age 88). They are neighbors as well as best friends. Young Sophie is wise beyond her years and has more in common with the older Sophie's generation. Their friendship takes a sad turn when the senior Sophie starts exhibiting signs of dementia. Young Sophie sets herself on a mission to prove that her best friend does NOT need to move across the country to a care home closer to her son. Along the way, she discovers that her friend has some stories to tell, some of which are hard to hear.

This book is a sweet reminder of how much we can learn from our elders. It's also about accepting the things we cannot change and loving our friends throughout their challenges. Circumstances may change, but friendship is forever.

My only criticism of this book is that, at times, the narrator's behavior and thinking were very juvenile compared to her overall demeanor. I also wish the book were longer so that I could learn more about the elderly Sophie's earlier years.

Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books, and NetGalley for a review copy of Tree. Table. Book.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to return to a long time favorite author, Lois Lowry. How I remember years, ok decades, ago reading her books from the local library, Number the Stars, the Anastasia books. Tree. Table, Book. this is a treasure of a book, a loving story of two Sophie/Sophia's, one young and growing into herself and one older, perhaps losing a bit of herself and for me the elegance of their friendship and this story is magical in how the main character's youthful voice is both young and wise all at once, in that way that young people are. A story that could be sad, and tinges of sadness hover at the edges of the story, becomes a story of understanding others and self, which is always what a Lois Lowry book is really about. This book is an excellent book for anyone and really great for young readers who maybe need support understanding older loved ones (or just because a book like this builds empathy overall).

A tender and deep portrayal of cross-generational friendship. The two Sophie's couldn't be more different in age or experience, but the gentleness they treat each other with radiates from the book. The story broaches the top of aging and dementia with care and does not seek to just ease a young person's fear about losing someone they are about, but also manages to share hope for their own future.

I loved reading this sweet story about the two Sophie’s. I wanted more of Sophie’s life growing up in WW2!! Especially when she talked about being a daughter to a Catholic woman - I wanted to know more about her. I loved all the side characters and even the ones you aren’t supposed to like. (Sophie’s son). I wish Margaret had become Sophie’s caretaker but overall this was a sweet lovely little story.

👧👵Subtle storytelling that captures the heart😍

The overriding word I would use to describe Lois Lowry's Tree. Table. Book. is touching. Touching in the strong bond between an eleven year old girl and her octogenarian neighbor Sophie Gershowitz. Touching in the way the girl reacts to her friend's failing memory. Touching in the stories of the older Sophie's youth in WWII Europe that are uncovered. And touching in the way the residents of the neighborhood respect young Oliver's neurodivergency.

Young Sophie recognizes a problem and attempts to measure and fix it, to save her best friend from a move out of her home to assisted living. I think young readers would find the sensitive yet realistic discussion of cognitive decline particularly useful as they are likely to be dealing with similar issues in their own extended families. Perhaps the most striking part of the story for youthful readers will be the acknowledgment that not every problem can be fixed but that does not make the situation hopeless.

Parents and children will find this book meaningful. I was certainly taken with it and the way it's told through the eyes of an eleven year old. I was especially impressed with the way Lowry handled the disintegration of Sophie Gershowitz's family in Poland without overt mention of the violence of war and the Holocaust. The heartbreak and tragedy is so nuanced that it moves even when only hinted at by the fateful exchange of a book and a shawl.

Thanks to Clarion Books/HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

My review will be shared on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, kobo and Bookbub either before or upon publication.

Neighbors Sophie Winslow and Sophie Gershowitz are best friends. They are also 77 years apart in age, making their relationship unusual and unique. When the Sophie G. (the elder Sophie) begins to have memory problems, younger Sophie determines to give her friend some help so she will pass the cognitive tests Sophie G’s son is making her take. In the process, stories from Sophie G’s past are shared, and the younger Sophie comes to place even more value on the precious friendship. Filled with themes of compassion, caring, and kindness, this latest book from a renowned author will not disappoint.