Module 10: Big Winners-- Chapter Books

Weeks, Sarah. So Be It. New York: Scholastic Press, 2004.

Summary: Thirteen year old Heidi has no idea where she came from, and as she matures begins to wonder about her past. Living with her severely disabled mother, So B. It, who has a vocabulary of only 23 words, and taken care of by her agoraphobic neighbor, Bernadette, Heidi is no longer complacent about her lack of a past. She doesn't know how they came to live in Reno, or why they don't have to worry about rent or utilities. When Heidi finds an old camera, the pictures within bring about more questions than answers. She finds a picture of her pregnant mother at the Hilltop Home for the Disabled, in Liberty, New York. When no one at the home will answer her questions, Heidi sets off by herself to find the answers to her questions, including who Soof is; Soof is one of So B. It's 23 words which also make up the titles to each chapter. Heidi's miraculous luck enables her to find the money to make the journey, and the mysterious answers to her childhood are finally revealed once she arrives at the home. 

Impressions: This book contains elements of mystery, adventure, and an all around fascinating story with well developed characters. While the story itself may be far-fetched if you delve into it too deeply, the way Weeks tells it is still believable, and as the reader you find yourself rooting for Heidi to learn her past and not be hurt in the process. This would make a great choice for literature discussions as so many elements bear discussing such as Heidi's bravery, the question as to whether a mentally disabled mother can care for a child, and whether or not Mr. Hill was right or wrong in his actions. 

Reviews:

Voice of Youth Advocate: Weeks, author of the middle school Guy series, weaves a tale of refreshing, offbeat characters who by their eccentricities add a magical element to the story. Heidi, for example, has an unexplainable gift of luck. In the Memory game, she knows where the matches are. At the back of the Sudsy Duds Laundromat, she has a sweet way with the slot machines when the month's grocery money does not stretch. As the riddle of Heidi's life and Mama's word list, which is used to name each of the twenty-three chapters, slowly unfolds, readers will be genuinely touched and surprised.

Booklist:  Her fully dimensional characters are remarkable yet believable, and although readers may guess the truth about Heidi's family before she does, the foreshadowing builds to a beautifully satisfying ending. An especially nice device is the chapter titles: each is one of So B. It's 23 words. This is lovely writing--real, touching, and pared cleanly down to the essentials.

Horn Book Guide: Narrator Heidi's realistic voice lends authenticity to her unusual circumstances.