Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer's new novel will touch your heart
When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful.
Sugar Mae Cole
By Kate Coombs
I like this author's books very much, so I was happy to read her latest. Sugar Mae Cole is trying to keep it together, but life is falling apart for her and her mother--with no help from Sugar's unreliable, mostly-absent father, who has a gambling addiction. Sugar's mother is sweet, but starts to lose it when she and Sugar are evicted. Pretty soon the two of them are in Chicago, homeless.Sugar has a lovely if slightly unusual support system. Even after she leaves town, her English teacher Mr. Bennett is there for her. "E-mail me," he says, and eventually she does. Then Sugar finds a frightened puppy and manages to keep it even when she gets dropped into the foster care system. A group home is rough, but she ends up with a couple who are kind to her. This doesn't go over well with her mother, who is still in a shelter, still struggling. Sugar handles her divided loyalties as best she can. She also helps her fearful puppy, too, reassuring herself at the same time. Slowly, Sugar's life takes on a new shape.Bauer may be prone to overly tidy endings, but I'm good with that. I believe a children's book should end on a note of hope--as long as it's not sicky-sweet. Sugar's life has improved by the last page, but it's still not going to be an easy road. Sugar is a thoroughly likable character, and I'm rooting for her all the way into that fictional future of hers. Bauer's portrait of homelessness may end more happily than most such scenarios in the lives of actual children, but it will certainly clue young readers in to how hard it is to be poor and adrift. That kind of empathy will serve them well in this life where so many people are in difficult situations.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
Content=4 stars, Cover Cuteness=5 stars
By Maggie Knapp
Possibly the cutest book cover ever.Sugar and her puppy Shush are trying to hold the family together as Sugar's mom Reba falls apart. Dad's not in the picture, and Reba has always lived in a bit of dreamland. Sugar's been the one to face facts, using poetry and creative thank you notes to express herself. When they lose their house, Sugar changes schools and loses her connection to a supportive teacher (although they can still email). Luckily she finds other adults who can help her. I found Sugar a little pushy and demanding, but she's got a lot going on in her life for someone in 6th grade, so I cut her some slack. The ending, as Sugar starts 7th grade in a new school is hopeful without being overly sweet. Lots of humor in this book, though sometimes it struck me as odd, like when an old dog passes away, or when her no-good father tries to get back with mother. I think BEST FOOT FORWARD and RULES OF THE ROAD (both also by Bauer, and easy to suggest to 7th graders) are better books. This one hits a slightly younger audience (5th graders) and the puppy on the cover says "Pick Me Up" to every reader who walks by. MIddle school readers wanting more books on children parenting their parents might try WAITING FOR NORMAL by Lesli Connor(5th/6th grade) and DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C.J. Omololu (7th/8th grade)About me: I'm a middle school/high school librarianHow I got this book: purchased for the library
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful.Deep, Real Life
By Library Lady
As a church librarian, I'm always looking for quality books for children - whether deeply religious or just about true life lessons. Character, Sugar has a lot on her shoulders with the loss of her grandfather, a deadbeat father and a mother with mental and esteem issues. She sticks with her mom no matter what her circumstances. It would be easy to take on the life of a foster child and turn away from her mother. But the story captures Sugar doing the best she can no matter her environment. I truly read every poem because there were deep feelings in the poems and that was a huge part of the story. I too lived in a situation that was not ideal as a child, but with God's love, I went on to be a successful woman, wife and mother. As I read the book, I thought of all the children living in a car or in a shelter. As Coordinator of our Quilt Ministry, I thought of all of the baby blankets our group make to help offer comfort and hope to children. This book truly shows the strength of Sugar and her endurance to be successful in life. Thanks to teacher, Mr. B, Sugar has an adult as a positive roll model and offers her encouragement and to pursue her talents. HIGHLY recommended for all church libraries.
