So B. It

"If truth was a crayon and it was up to me to put a wrapper around it and name its color, I know just what I would call it--dinosaur skin. I used to think, without really thinking about it, that I knew what color that was. But that was a long time ago, before I knew what I know now about both dinosaur skin and the truth." Thus begins the remarkable story of Heidi It, the narrator of Sarah Weeks' compelling book, So B. It. Poor Heidi has grown up fairly isolated, with a mentally handicapped mother, an agoraphobic but good-hearted neighbor, and one neighbor boy whom she talks to when taking out the trash. But Heidi is wise and courageous beyond her years and experience. She has an innate thirst for knowing the truth of her background, and so she begins a remarkable journey across country to find someone who may know about her beginnings. Children and adults alike will enjoy the chapter set up. You see, Heidi's mom only knows 23 words or expressions. Each chapter is named after one of those words and explores the significance of those words to both Heidi and her mother. There are some words that Heidi has no trouble understanding, such as "Tea" and "Back Soon." But one word in particular, "Soof," haunts Heidi. Her mother is incapable of explaining the word and her kind neighbor urges Heidi to ignore the word, but Heidi will not rest until she has an explanation for "Soof." The meaning of "Soof" is tied inextricably to everything Heidi needs to know. There are plenty of twists and turns and magical moments as Heidi seeks to solve the mystery of her existence. Heidi is a fascinatingly complex character, and the plot makes for an exciting page turner. Recommended ages: 9 to 109 Check out my other reviews at: http://literatureforgirls.blogspot.com/

So B. It is a heart warming story about a lost family being found. This story is about, a girl named Heidi living with her mentally disabled mother. Years ago they arrived at a lady's front step, not knowing where they were. The lady, Bernadette, took them under her wings and practically adopted them. As happy as they were, Heidi still wasn't satisfied. Her mother new twenty three words, common words, except for one. Soof. Heidi feels that she has to know what this mysterious word means so she goes on a mission to find out. She goes through so much, meets a lot of new people, made new friends, and goes through some tears. In the end it works out great, she meets more family than she ever imagined she had. For such a young girl she goes through so many up and downs. This book is mixed with so many emotions because it focuses on family and all the ups and downs a family goes through.

As far as I can determine, the most significant thing author Sarah Weeks wrote prior to "So B. It", was an amusing series for middle readers called the "Guy" books. Like many children's authors before her (Louis Sachar, for example), Weeks began her career as an author with light fluffy material. Then, out of nowhere, she creates this remarkable, complex, deeply moving book. "So B. It" may well be the first step towards making Sarah Weeks one of the great writers for kids of this era. She has taken a difficult (some might say impossible) subject, given it warmth and intelligence, and created one of the best books of 2004. If you want to give a kid something to read that's interesting and insightful, but also contains more complexity than your average "Droon" chronicle, I can't recommend this book any more highly. Heidi It has always, so far as she has known, lived with her mother and her neighbor Bernice (Bernie) in their apartments in Reno. Heidi's family is remarkable for a great many reasons. Her mother, So B. It, has, what Heidi matter-of-factly calls a "bum brain". She's mentally handicapped and has only the capacity of saying only 23 words altogether. Bernie is a neighbor who has always cared for Heidi in ways that So B. It could not. Unfortunately, Bernie has agoraphobia and can't exit their apartments for any reason. Heidi, for her part, is what you might call normal were it not for one remarkable fact. She's lucky. Anytime her household needs a little more money to fix the vacuum cleaner or to pay an unexpected bill, Heidi tromps down to the local slot machine, wins a load of cash, and gives it to Bernie to use. And life with these three might have gone on in this fashion had it not been for a couple mysteries that Heidi wanted to solve. First of all, her mother can only say 23 words. One of them is "soof". Heidi wants to know what that word means, but her mom hasn't the capacity to understand or say. Second of all, baby Heidi and So B. It arrived in the apartment next to Bernie's years ago without anything but the clothes on their backs. And finally, Heidi finds an ancient camera in her apartment with film that has never been developed. Film, that dates back to before Heidi was born. Film, that might answer some of the questions she so desperately needs. The book's a mystery at heart. Heidi's personal quest to track down her past and find where she comes from is both believable and the kind of thing kids can identify with. In spite of Bernie's objections, she goes out into the cold world to find what she wants most. Weeks, as a writer, deftly weaves different lessons and wisdoms into her text without ever making it preachy or didactic. Heidi says right from the start that there are some things in this world that you cannot know. That's a truth that places the rest of the book in a distinct and curious light. For her part, Heidi learns quite of a bit of the truth, even if large chunks are missing here and t

Thirteen-year-old Heidi knows that her life is anything but conventional. Sure, her Mother loves her dearly, but seeing as how her Mother is stricken with a mental disability, it is extremely hard for her to take care of Heidi, or even show her how much she cares about her. That's where Bernadette comes in. Bernadette (Dette) is Heidi and her Mother's next-door neighbor, in the apartment building that they reside in in Reno. Dette's Father died a few year ago, leaving her some money, as well as well as agoraphobia, meaning that she can't go outside for fear. Everything is absolutely fine, until Heidi's Mother utters a mysterious word, soof, that begins to haunt her. Heidi quickly realizes that she must learn the truth, and uncover the secrets about her past. And soon she is on a cross-country journey doing just that. Filled with dramatic twists and turns at every corner, Sarah Weeks has proved that she can not only write comedy well, but heart-warming, touching stories, that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished. Heidi is an amazing, heroic character, who finds the good in all, while at the same time having to deal with such a serious issue at home. Her Mother is kind and friendly, and someone whom you feel for greatly, as you realize just how hard it is for a person to have a mental disability. And Dette. Dette is a Godsend, who helps out with chores, and taking care of both Heidi and her Mother. All together they create an amazing force against the mental disability, proving that you can overcome even the biggest obstacles. A must have read for all, especially if you're looking to read an uplifting story. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Heidi knows her mom loves her. But because of her mother's mental disability, she is unable to care for herself or her daughter. Their loving neighbor, Bernadette, helps out and is a vital part of their family. Bernadette finally manages to teach Mama how to open cans, but tying shoes is beyond her capabilities. Mama can't read or tell time. She knows 23 words. One of Mama's words, "soof," is a mystery --- no one knows what it means, and Mama is unable to define it.Heidi lives in Reno and so is able to wield her incredibly reliable lucky streak at the laundromat slot machine when her babysitting money doesn't quite cover their needs. How did Heidi and her mom end up in Reno, living in the apartment next to Bernadette? Bernadette tells Heidi about their mysterious appearance at her door when Heidi was just one week old. Heidi's mother was able to tell Bernadette that her baby's name was Heidi. When asked for her own name, Mama says, "So be it." Since Bernadette believes everyone should have a middle name (or at least an initial), she dubs Mama "So B. It." Heidi is known as "Heidi It."The truth about her mother's identity eats away at Heidi. She simply cannot rest until she pieces together Mama's past through clues that appear over the years. Why is her mother terrified of buses? Why do rainy days make her anxious? When Heidi finds some old photos of her mother at a Christmas party held at Hilltop Home in Liberty, New York, she decides she must travel there alone in order to discover who her mother truly is. The trip is a frightening yet exciting adventure for determined, courageous Heidi.SO B. IT is a great read. The mystery is intriguing; the characters are quirky yet believable. If you're a sucker for a quest story with heart, the way I am, I predict you'll be "So Into It!" (...)