The Memory String

The Memory String is a wonderful touchstone text that lends itself to writing activities. As a member of the Louisville Writing Project, the book was first introduced to me and used in this manner by Synthia Shelby. Students create their own memory strings in a writing activity after being read the book. This can be done with all grade levels. As a literacy leader at Meredith-Dunn School in Louisville, I developed a lesson that I took to several classrooms in the school. Once students (and teachers) create their own memory strings, suddenly, they have all sorts of seeds of ideas for writing in various genres. It shows students that memories are not always happy and exemplifies the resiliency of the human spirit. My students were able to connect with the character, and with each others' memories, initiating more dialogue to help with their writing processes. Eve Bunting has written so many texts that can be used to faculitate writing as well as help children to make connections and to consider social issues and how they impact them their world and future. Susan Brokenshire-Prater

I enjoyed this book a lot. I think that it speaks to how difficult it is for all of us to accept new situations and how difficult it is to lose someone that we love. One of this girl's prize possessions is her memory string and as the story unfolds around it, we get to see her learn to accept the new turns her life has taken. I found it fascinating to go and research button charm strings of the past after reading this book and then help my daughters to create memory strings of their own. The illustrations are beautiful as well.

This book is great!!! It's about a little girl, Laura, and her cat, Whiskers. Laura has a memory string which is made from buttons taken from her family's clothing. Whiskers accidentally breaks the string and the buttons get lost. Laura's mom died 3 years ago, so her stepmother Jane and her dad and Laura find all of the buttons except for 1. To find out if they find the last button read the Memory String.

Laura is determined not to be caught talking to herself, so she grabs her not-so-pleased cat and recites the story of her buttons. Each button holds a memory from the past. Remembering these stories keeps her mother alive and close in Laura's mind. Laura uses her buttons as a defense against her changing world, but it just may be the buttons that bring the healing she needs. A great book to have on hand for children dealing with death, loss, divorce, and remarriage.

This book was wonderful for two reasons. I collect buttons and I know how special certain buttons are to me because of who they belonged to. Also, I thought the bridge of buttons that brought together step-mother and girl was a big surprise to the reader. For someone who loves buttons, this story is very special. This author understands a button collector.