Some friends are forever, even when they're apart.
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Illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani Beach Lane Books / Simon & Schuster I March 26, 2024 * The 94th California Book Awards Finalist in the Juvenile Fiction * The Original Art 2024 Selection (The Society of Illustrators) - Shahrzad Maydani |
"As spring—and the sourgrass—blooms again for Sofia, Lim’s story reminds us that true friendship endures the harshest season, validating the emotional struggles over friends moving away, even as we root for Sofia and May to be reunited and to rekindle their friendship in the bright, sunlit patch of sourgrass." Booklist
"The lovely, poetic text conveys the depths of childhood friendships and the pain of life’s inevitable changes....Lim and Maydani offer a realistic yet hopeful depiction of ever changing, meaningful childhood bonds....A gentle tug at the heartstrings." Kirkus
A relatable tale of friendship and change. Sofia, a dark-skinned girl with cornrowed hair, and May, with long brown hair and light skin, open the gate between their yards and play together daily. One day, they find a field abloom with yellow sourgrass flowers. “My mom says sourgrass shows up every spring, keeping its promise,” says May. The girls nibble the sourgrass and spit out the stems, and the plant comes to represent their closeness as best friends. As they romp in the blooming fields, Sofia’s stuffed-animal mouse and May’s duck come to life and play with the girls and each other. But one “colorless day,” May moves away, turning the chalk pastel and watercolor illustrations that had teemed with yellows, oranges, pinks, and greens to darker blues, blacks, and maroons. Sofia sends May letters, but as winter arrives, responses stop. When Sofia spots an early-spring sourgrass flower growing through the fence—its roots in May’s yard and flower in hers—Sofia recalls the promise of their friendship, and soon, the possibility of a new friend emerges. Lim’s hopeful story, with its spare, accessible text, and Maydani’s soft, whimsical illustrations offer readers lots to love and notice. The Horn Book
You can find Activity Sheets here.
"The lovely, poetic text conveys the depths of childhood friendships and the pain of life’s inevitable changes....Lim and Maydani offer a realistic yet hopeful depiction of ever changing, meaningful childhood bonds....A gentle tug at the heartstrings." Kirkus
A relatable tale of friendship and change. Sofia, a dark-skinned girl with cornrowed hair, and May, with long brown hair and light skin, open the gate between their yards and play together daily. One day, they find a field abloom with yellow sourgrass flowers. “My mom says sourgrass shows up every spring, keeping its promise,” says May. The girls nibble the sourgrass and spit out the stems, and the plant comes to represent their closeness as best friends. As they romp in the blooming fields, Sofia’s stuffed-animal mouse and May’s duck come to life and play with the girls and each other. But one “colorless day,” May moves away, turning the chalk pastel and watercolor illustrations that had teemed with yellows, oranges, pinks, and greens to darker blues, blacks, and maroons. Sofia sends May letters, but as winter arrives, responses stop. When Sofia spots an early-spring sourgrass flower growing through the fence—its roots in May’s yard and flower in hers—Sofia recalls the promise of their friendship, and soon, the possibility of a new friend emerges. Lim’s hopeful story, with its spare, accessible text, and Maydani’s soft, whimsical illustrations offer readers lots to love and notice. The Horn Book
You can find Activity Sheets here.
- STORYSTORM Hope Lim Savors Quiet Moments / Tara Lazar / Jan 27, 2024
- GROG BLOG Author Interview: Hope Lim and SOURGRASS / Tina Cho / Feb 21, 2024
- 24 CARROT WRITING Creating Worthy Picture Books / March 18, 2024
- JUDY BRADBURY Backstory : Q & A with Hope Lim / May 16, 2024
