New Shoes

At the beginning of this sequel to Family Shoes, the Bishop has asked Rev. Alex Bell to move to a new parish, a depressed housing project outside London. The residents there seem entirely lacking in community and church spirit, and indifferent to their new vicar. Because the Bishop has urged each of the Bell children to find a way to make the new assignment a success, each uses her or his initiative to make connections between the vicarage and the community. By the end, they've learned an important lesson: people become invested in each other by *doing things together* to improve their community, rather than by having those improvements done for them. Streatfeild's books are among my favorites to re-read, but they are markedly formulaic: each has three or four kids, one of whom is pretty, and one who is plain or fat. One or two will be talented and driven, one gifted but unmotivated, and one lazy and often resentful of her position within the family. Almost all of the children in her books end up being essentially responsible, family-oriented, enterprising, and good problem-solvers when they learn to work together, using their different skills. What saves these books is Streatfeild's ability to capture the little resentments and solidarities of family life. As well, even the less likeable characters tend to become more sympathetic, because they grow in realistic ways. Ginnie Bell, Jane Winter, and Nicky Heath all mature through their escapades, but they do not really repent or fundamentally change - they certainly continue to infuriate their siblings! Streatfeild's refusal to thoroughly reform her characters keeps the books from being saccharine-sweet and makes possible some truly touching moments. In New Shoes, this moment comes when we see Ginnie's realization that her smug, horribly spoiled cousin Veronica is desperately lonely. Although Ginnie certainly uses Veronica's desire for attention to get what she, herself, wants, by the end of the book she has ensured that her cousin's parents see their daughter in a different light.

"New Shoes" is one of the most enchanting of Noel Streatfeild's delightful stories. With all the warmth of its prequel, "Family Shoes," it has a refreshing newness and youth. Cathy and Alex and their four children accept the bishop's invitation to a new church in a new town outside London, and all the children join together to help make Crestal New Town proud of itself. The children's talents expand on this broader stage, and the book is so vivid, so vital, so absorbing that you'll enjoy it even if you have not yet read "Family Shoes." The publishers were mad to allow this gem to go out of print. Please reprint it!

"New Shoes" is a delectable sequel to "Family Shoes." The book can stand on its own, but it will make you eager to read the first adventures of the Bell family. Reverend Alexander Bell accepts a call to a church in a new town outside London, where the bishop thinks the new town needs not only Alex but Cathy and the childrem, Paul, Jane, Ginnie, and Angus, to help make the new town proud of itself. The blossoming of the children's talents, Ginnie's adventures with Admiral Oakley, what it takes for Mrs. Gage to stay with the family, the surprise reappearance of Miss Bloggs, Aunt Rose, Uncle Alfred, and Veronica (we all have relatives!), Ginnie's plotting to remain at St. winifred's, and the transforming effect of the Bell family on the new town,create a book you'll read over and over. Don't miss Ginnie's debut in the national press!

Do you remember when the Meg Ryan character walked into Tom Hanks' FOX BOOKS store and the customer asked about the "Shoes" books, and a monologue about the wonders of Noel Streatfeild's "Shoes" books ensued, touching on Dancing Shoes, Ballet Shoes, and Skating Shoes, which is absolutely wonderful? That scene made me break down crying, because I had never heard anyone other than myself talk about these terrific books, and the fact that it is tragic that they are mostly out of print and hard to find. This book is a wonderful story of working hard for a goal, and accomplishing it, or at least getting on the road to achieving a reasonable, yet magical, goal. This one is less "artistic" and more "home" focused than the other SHOES books. If you want a great book for your favorite elementary school girl, buy this one - then buy the other "Shoes" books (and get a copy of Tennis Shoes for your favorite boy too!)