Strawberry Hill
What’s inside...
When Allie learns that her family will be moving from their apartment in the city to their own home in the country, she's hesitant until she finds out they will be living on a street with the magical name of Strawberry Hill. That changes everything! From Allie's discovery of a nearby farm, to her struggle to reconcile her feelings about 'best friends', Mary Ann Hoberman allows readers to experience the trials and tribulations of small town life during the Depression, as seen through the eyes of a precocious, loveable ten year-old. Strawberry Hill is a character-driven, coming of age story that at its heart is a celebration of friendship and family. Reminiscent of classic stories with feisty heroines like Anne of Green Gables and based loosely on the author's own life experiences, Strawberry Hill will appeal to fans of nostalgic novels like The Penderwicks, Year of the Dog and Blow Out the Moon.
Age
8-13
Length
240 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Allie felt when she moved to Strawberry Hill? Have you ever felt the same way?
How did Allie's friendships change throughout the story? What does this teach us about making and keeping friends?
Why do you think it was important for Allie to find a 'best' friend?
What are some ways that Allie helped her friends and family in the book? How can we help our friends and family in real life?
How did the setting of Strawberry Hill impact Allie’s adventures? Can you imagine your own adventures in such a place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts as they relate to Allie's experiences. Use parallels from the child's own life to deepen the understanding of the character's emotions and actions. Highlight the significance of empathy, friendship, and community as reflected in the story, creating a bridge to real-life applications. Suggest your child to think creatively by asking them to imagine their own adventures in settings similar to Strawberry Hill.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In 'Strawberry Hill', the protagonist values and nurtures her friendships despite the challenges that arise.
Real-World Application: Children learn to maintain and cherish relationships, understanding the role of communication and compromise in friendships.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: The main character moves to a new neighborhood and learns to adapt to her new environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to embrace change and see it as an opportunity for growth and new experiences.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face situations where they must choose honesty, showing its importance in building trust.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to value truthfulness in their interactions, which fosters trust and respect in their relationships.
Example Lesson: Coping with disappointment
Explanation: The story showcases characters dealing with various forms of disappointments and how they overcome them.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that disappointment is a part of life and teaches them resilience and how to manage their emotions.