Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
“A heartfelt novel celebrating friendship and family ties.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Twelve-year-old Rosie and her best friend, Bailey, don’t always get along, that’s true. But Granny Torrelli seems to know just how to make things right again with her interesting stories and family recipes. She understands from experience that life's twist and turns can't rattle the unique bond between two lifelong pals.
Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech cooks up a delightfully tender novel filled with homemade dishes and secret recipes. It’s easier to remember what’s important about love, life, and friendship while Granny Torrelli makes soup.
Celebrate a special connection to a parent or grandparent by sharing this empathetic, funny book.
“A tasty treat.” –ALA Booklist (starred review)
“This is a meal that should not be missed.” –School Library Journal (starred review)
An ALA Notable Children’s Book and ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice
It’s a story about how the best ingredients for friendship are patience, understanding, and a little bit of soup.
Childhood Friends: Rosie and her best friend Bailey have known each other their whole lives, but a fight threatens to pull them apart.Family Recipes and Stories: Granny Torrelli shares wisdom from her own childhood in Italy while teaching Rosie how to make zuppa and cavatelli.Blind Main Character: An authentic and heartfelt portrayal of Bailey, who is visually impaired, and Rosie’s secret quest to learn Braille for him.Empathy and Understanding: A gentle lesson on seeing the world from a friend’s point of view and learning why saying “I’m sorry” is so important.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A warm kitchen filled with inviting aromas sets the scene for this heartfelt novel celebrating friendship and family ties. Here 12-year-old Rosie and her Italian grandmother whip up extraordinary dishes and exchange confidences. As the novel opens, Rosie broods on a fight she has had with her best friend, Bailey, who is going blind, and it soon becomes apparent that Granny Torrelli's talents aren't limited to cooking. She detects that her granddaughter is bothered by something and tells Rosie a few stories from her own childhood that resonate with Rosie's situation as the two prepare a delicious soup. Rosie then confides memories of Bailey, and the layering of experiences builds in much the same way as Creech's Fishing in the Air. Though Rosie and Granny may be generations apart, their lives have been shaped by similar situations. By the second section, "Pasta Party," Rosie and Bailey are on better terms. Creech (Walk Two Moons) once again shows her ability to crystallize characters and express their emotions through very few, carefully chosen words. Her subtle approach only enhances the novel's cumulative impact. Like comfort food, conversations between Granny and Rosie have a soothing effect, reminding readers that conflicts pass and there will always be moments when friends and family gather, peace of mind returns and, in Granny Torrelli's words, "Tutto va bene" all is well. Ages 8-12.
