This is a sweet story about friendship and the power of storytelling.
Sophie is an 11 year old girl who has a wonderful friendship with her 88 year old neighbor (of the same name). When she overhears that her neighbor's son is taking her to be tested for dementia, Sophie wants to help her improve her memory.
Elder Sophie ends up telling 3 stories of her childhood. As a person of the Jewish faith, raised in Poland, these stories are related to WWII.
I think this would be a great book to read with a child who is learning about WWII. There is not enough context in this book to understand what happened during the war, but it would be a wonderful supplement.
Younger Sophie realizes that although she's learned about WWII in school, these stories help it come alive for her. As a teacher, I agree that humanizing historical events makes it much more real for students.
Although this book was written on a fairly low level, there were some difficult vocabulary words. I think this would be a great classroom read aloud, or a book for a parent to read with their child.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for review.

A slow building story that was so worth it in the end.I will be purchasing this for my library's collection.

Two things drew me to this book. First, I like the writing of Lois Lowry and I was curious about her newest one. Second, I was curious about the title. I learned that the title refers to a list of words that were supposed to diagnose one of the main characters, an elderly woman named Sophie, for dementia. From those three words the reader learns about her history as a young Jewish girl in Poland during the beginning of the Nazi invasion. Thankfully, she escaped the treatment that her family and others had endured, but the price was giving up everything.
The story carefully tells of the love that develops between the elderly Sophie and a young girl also named Sophie. Lois Lowery beautifully describes their relationship.
I really liked this book even though the subject matter is so difficult to read about. I guess what I appreciated was that the ending, while sad, was also slightly optimistic.

Tree, Table, Book is another excellent contribution by Lois Lowry. This book provides the opportunity to explore many current issues. The two Sophies are the best of friends, they live next door to each other. Sophie, the elder friend, was a refugee and an immigrant. She is also having increasingly severe memory problems. Sophie, the younger friend, is in elementary school, and a very precise person. She has two friends Ralphie, with whom she plans "complicated undertakings," and Oliver who is "unusual." When they notice the elder Sophie's memory lapses, they attempt to help her. They are graced with a story from the elder Sophie's deep memory. And they learn that things change. This is book not to be missed!

“Begin on the day that is different.” This, according to 11-year-old Sophia Henry Winslow, is the secret to starting a great story, and it also happens to be the way this unique tale of intergenerational friendship begins.

Sophia, who goes by Sophie, shares a name with her best friend, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor named Sophie Gershowitz. The two of them enjoy long chats, cups of tea, and the color mauve. Young Sophie has recently discovered, however, that her octogenarian companion is showing signs of dementia, and that her adult son plans to put her in an assisted living home. 11-year-old Sophie hatches a plan to keep her best friend in her life.

This tale, which is nostalgic, outlandish, and personal all at once, reinforces the saying that friendship comes in many forms. The bond between the two Sophies is as wholesome and earnest as Young Sophie’s pre-teen belief that she alone knows what’s best for her friend. Her adolescent machinations kept me turning the pages while reading, as did her quirky friendships with the boys in her neighborhood who are unknowingly along for the ride.

Like other Lois Lowry novels, “Tree. Table. Book.” acknowledges the new feelings and big ideas middle grades readers are encountering for the first time. Sophie grapples with when to look out for her own feelings and when to defer to experienced adults. She brainstorms and looks for solutions but also can admit when she’s in over her head. I found myself wondering whether she realistically could understand the adult ideas in her life, such as dementia and war, and whether the preteens who are the intended audience would grasp them as well. It is best-suited, in my opinion, for a shared reading experience between grown up and early adolescent.

Lois Lowry’s latest work is poignant, inviting, and a worthy addition to her considerable shelf of thought-provoking literature. I remember reading The Giver in sixth grade and it is truly a blessing to read her newest work as an adult, a parent, and a teacher. Thank you for the gift of words, Mrs. Lowry!

[Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books, Clarion Books, and NetGalley for providing this advance copy in exchange for my honest review!]

3.5 rounded up

I finished in a day. This is a simple read for young adults. That being said, even an advanced reader may get lost in the first 1/3 of the book. Sophie, the main character, is all over the place. It didn't bother me, per se, but I can see how some people might not like it. The book did have some heartfelt moments with substance... if you can get past Sophie, who is only supposed to be 11, and her internal dialogue is portrayed as if SHE is the 80 year old. No 11 year old / 6th grader talks like this. The book wasn't bad; it was even cute at times. But it lacked something that I can't put my finger on.

And, for the record, I did remember the words: House, Umbrella, Apple

Oh my goodness. My heart! This book was so sweet and powerful. A girl's best friend is the old lady next door who is losing her short term memory. Through the book we learn about Mrs. Gershowitz and her history as a young Polish jew during WWII. So simple and sweet with an ending that will melt your heart. One I will be ordering a physical copy of for sure. I was given an e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A sweet book about intergenerational friendship, chosen family, the strength of memory even as some of it fades, the power of community, and neighborhood inclusion of all ages. It was a simple read but such a complex meaning to the story. I'd recommend to any young person coping with changes in aging family members, or struggling with interpersonal relationships.

Lois Lowry does such a fantastic job of writing to her readers. She explains topics in a way that young readers can easily understand.
Sophie is a young girl with no friends and kind of dorky child when she meets an older women named Sophie. The two become best of friends. When young Sophie realizes that older Sophie is losing her mind, young Sophie must come to terms with the fact that older Sophie may need more than she can give her.
Told in such a heartwarming way, Tree. Table. Book. Is a MUST read.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books for my ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. This was a wonderful book with quirky and delightful characters. It introduces the reader to what happens to some people when they age in a gentle l and compassionate way.

I really loved the whole cadence of this book, which concerns two Sophies - one age 11 and one age 88. The younger Sophie is drawn to the elder, Sophie Gershowitz, because they seem to get each other - I pictured kindred spirits a la Anne of Green Gables. However, Sophie G. seems to be struggling and the younger Sophie is out to prove everyone wrong. In the process she discovers Sophie G.'s story - one that's filled with strength, loss, and determination.

"Sophie Gershowitz has taught me many things. Teaches, I mean. Present tense. I am still learning from her. And I think that learning from each other is one of the most important parts of friendship."

My only caveat with this book is that it seemed too short. I wanted to know more about their relationship, and more about Sophie G. and her history. I get though that this was a middle grade novel and not meant for the average adult attention span or interest level. I'd definitely recommend this one. It would specifically relate to young readers who are dealing with difficult medical situations involving an older person with whom they are close.

Full disclosure—my mom had Alzheimers and my husband currently has Lewy Body dementia. My younger grandkids (ages 4 and 6) explain odd behaviors as “being silly.” The older ones (12-14) know it’s dementia. So this book hit home. I thought the book was wonderful and think kids dealing with a grandparent or parent with dementia would find this book encouraging. So for those whose families who dementia touches, it would be wonderful. It was intuitive from a child’s perspective and touching. And yes, “You have to put in the feelings. That’s the secret. That’s the hard part.” And we all should have t-shirts that says “live long and prosper”.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for the Advanced Review copy.

I haven't read a Lowry in a hot minute and I forgot how much I love her writing. This book was incredible. If you ever teach a WWII novel or you're into WWII literature - YOU NEED THIS BOOK in your life. I cried several times at the simplicity of the three simple words that shape this novel and their profound stories,

This is the story of one best friend named Ralpie who super supports his friend's weird obsession with his dad's medical manuals. This is the story of one super adorable and precocious kid named Oliver who sees the world differently than most. This is the story of TWO Sophies: one older and one young who love each other fiercely and deeply. This is the story of three words that changed all of their lives: Tree. Table. Book.

..."and I get As in history always. I memorize the dates and the names of battles, but..." I didn't complete the sentence and finally, in the silence, she asked, "but what, my darling?"
"Those things aren't enough," I whispered. "You can't feel them. You need the stories."

YOU NEED THESE STORIES!
This is probably my top read of 2023.
Heartbreaking in so many ways, yet totally needed and hopeful.
(As my family is Polish, I appreciated the Polish words and Polish phrases sprinkled into the story as well!)

Lois Lowry is such a talented storyteller! I was thrilled to see she was releasing a new novel. This story has a lot of heavy content (I should have expected that based on her past novels). As an adult, I loved the novel and think it would be excellent to share with my kids but some parents may want to read the story first and ensure the content is suitable for their family.

Thank you so much for my digital copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

A pretty slow burn, but well written and crafted. I appreciate what the story is trying to convey. It's a large topic for a young audience, but ultimately it's not as strong as her previous works.

A young girl learns what it means to be a true friend when her 88 yr old best friend is diagnosed with dementia. This is a sweet story that also gently introduces the reader to the horrors of WWII but in a very light, kid appropriate way, as older Sophie tells younger Sophie three short stories about her childhood.
This book would work well as a read aloud and could be used as a starting off point for some deeper discussions.

I throughly enjoyed reading this book. As a reading teacher, I was enthralled by the creative story-telling and how Lois Lowry wove the young girl's inquisition into allowing the elderly neighbor to tell her past.

A great story to use with students when teaching writing, as well as, history and relationships.

Tree. Table. Book. is a tale of two friends: one young with an old soul, and one elderly who encourages her and equally is encouraged by her. Sophie is 11-years-old, but relates much better to her elderly neighbor, also named Sophie, than to her peers. She does have a few friends her own age, but she loves spending time with her best friend next door, despite their difference in ages. When young Sophie overhears a conversation about her best friend's declining mental acuity, including a possible plan to move her to an assisted living facility, she is angered. She knows that the other Sophie remembers stories so clearly, that surely the adults in her life are mistaken. Therefore, she decides to begin giving her friend a variety of verbal tests to prove that she does not need this drastic measure. Along the way, she learns more of Sophie's history, which opens her eyes to the events which shaped her to be the friend that she is. Tree. Table. Book. is a touching, sometimes devastating, middle-grade novel. Middle school students are reaching an age where their grandparents' health and mental sharpness can sometimes start changing, and it can be hard to understand those changes, especially when they usually remember their childhood and teenage years so clearly. Often, as adults, we wish it had dawned on us in our younger years to ask questions and request stories from the elderly friends and families we take for granted. This story (told with Lowry's ability to grab our emotions with seemingly simple events or descriptions) will hopefully open students' hearts and eyes to the precious moments we have that we might assume will always be there. While most readers will predict the outcome of the Sophie testing, Lowry will still keep them engaged and hopeful.

Highly recommended for grades 5-8.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the opportunity to read and review this eGalley.

This was so cute. I absolutely adored this story about Sophie and Sophie, two friends decades apart in age. Told from the point of view of the younger Sophie, it felt like a peek into her diary about her life and her friendship with older Sophie. Along the way we get glimpses of deeper issues (aging, dementia, the Holocaust) and younger Sophie’s thoughts on these big topics are poignant. I didn’t love The Giver (I know, I know) so I wasn’t sure I’d like this one but I loved it. Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I think this may be one of those books that is beautiful for an adult reader but isn't as meaningful to the target audience.

However, if you're looking to gently expose a child to the early stages of dementia, reading this book together and discussing it would work very well.