Customer Reviews

So B. It

5 star:		(111)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

As far as I can determine, the most significant thing author Sarah Weeks wrote prior to "So B. It", was an amusing series for middle readers called the "Guy" books. Like many children's authors before her (Louis Sachar, for example), Weeks began her career as an author with light fluffy material. Then, out of nowhere, she creates this remarkable, complex, deeply moving book. "So B. It" may well be the first step towards making Sarah Weeks one of the great writers for kids of this era. She has taken a difficult (some might say impossible) subject, given it warmth and intelligence, and created one of the best books of 2004. If you want to give a kid something to read that's interesting and insightful, but also contains more complexity than your average "Droon" chronicle, I can't recommend this book any more highly.

Heidi It has always, so far as she has known, lived with her mother and her neighbor Bernice (Bernie) in their apartments in Reno. Heidi's family is remarkable for a great many reasons. Her mother, So B. It, has, what Heidi matter-of-factly calls a "bum brain". She's mentally handicapped and has only the capacity of saying only 23 words altogether. Bernie is a neighbor who has always cared for Heidi in ways that So B. It could not. Unfortunately, Bernie has agoraphobia and can't exit their apartments for any reason. Heidi, for her part, is what you might call normal were it not for one remarkable fact. She's lucky. Anytime her household needs a little more money to fix the vacuum cleaner or to pay an unexpected bill, Heidi tromps down to the local slot machine, wins a load of cash, and gives it to Bernie to use. And life with these three might have gone on in this fashion had it not been for a couple mysteries that Heidi wanted to solve. First of all, her mother can only say 23 words. One of them is "soof". Heidi wants to know what that word means, but her mom hasn't the capacity to understand or say. Second of all, baby Heidi and So B. It arrived in the apartment next to Bernie's years ago without anything but the clothes on their backs. And finally, Heidi finds an ancient camera in her apartment with film that has never been developed. Film, that dates back to before Heidi was born. Film, that might answer some of the questions she so desperately needs.

The book's a mystery at heart. Heidi's personal quest to track down her past and find where she comes from is both believable and the kind of thing kids can identify with. In spite of Bernie's objections, she goes out into the cold world to find what she wants most. Weeks, as a writer, deftly weaves different lessons and wisdoms into her text without ever making it preachy or didactic. Heidi says right from the start that there are some things in this world that you cannot know. That's a truth that places the rest of the book in a distinct and curious light. For her part, Heidi learns quite of a bit of the truth, even if large chunks are missing here and there.

What was most impressive about the story though was the character of So B. It. How do you go about creating a mentally handicapped character without reducing her to stereotypes or oversimplification? Somehow Weeks has managed it, and the result is an astounding novel. Quite frankly, this book hinges on whether or not you find the character of So B. It realistic and sympathetic. Weeks treads carefully around her subject but makes it perfectly clear that in spite of her problems, this is a woman who cares deeply for the people who love her. Even if she can't express it all the time.

There are also some touchy subjects that Weeks skirts around believably. As I read the book, I wondered how the author would deal with the details of Heidi's conception. I won't give anything away but to say that the book's a class act and the subject, which is addressed in a child-friendly manner, works. And by the way, if you're worried about whether or not this title will be interesting to kids, don't be. The writing here is great, riddled with mysteries and lots of lists that Heidi likes to keep things straight in.

That this book never received so much as a Newbery honor rankles me. Not that the actual winners weren't deserving, but this is a truly beautiful book that every child should know. My greatest fear is that someone somewhere will get it mixed up with the far more mediocre, "Ida B", which came out in the same year. For those who locate this title correctly, however, they will find something that is appealing to kids and yet is well written enough to earn the respect of adults as well. A gem.

So B. It is a heart warming story about a lost family being found. This story is about, a girl named Heidi living with her mentally disabled mother. Years ago they arrived at a lady's front step, not knowing where they were. The lady, Bernadette, took them under her wings and practically adopted them. As happy as they were, Heidi still wasn't satisfied. Her mother new twenty three words, common words, except for one. Soof. Heidi feels that she has to know what this mysterious word means so she goes on a mission to find out. She goes through so much, meets a lot of new people, made new friends, and goes through some tears. In the end it works out great, she meets more family than she ever imagined she had. For such a young girl she goes through so many up and downs. This book is mixed with so many emotions because it focuses on family and all the ups and downs a family goes through.

Heidi knows her mom loves her. But because of her mother's mental disability, she is unable to care for herself or her daughter. Their loving neighbor, Bernadette, helps out and is a vital part of their family. Bernadette finally manages to teach Mama how to open cans, but tying shoes is beyond her capabilities. Mama can't read or tell time. She knows 23 words. One of Mama's words, "soof," is a mystery --- no one knows what it means, and Mama is unable to define it.

Heidi lives in Reno and so is able to wield her incredibly reliable lucky streak at the laundromat slot machine when her babysitting money doesn't quite cover their needs. How did Heidi and her mom end up in Reno, living in the apartment next to Bernadette? Bernadette tells Heidi about their mysterious appearance at her door when Heidi was just one week old. Heidi's mother was able to tell Bernadette that her baby's name was Heidi. When asked for her own name, Mama says, "So be it." Since Bernadette believes everyone should have a middle name (or at least an initial), she dubs Mama "So B. It." Heidi is known as "Heidi It."

The truth about her mother's identity eats away at Heidi. She simply cannot rest until she pieces together Mama's past through clues that appear over the years. Why is her mother terrified of buses? Why do rainy days make her anxious? When Heidi finds some old photos of her mother at a Christmas party held at Hilltop Home in Liberty, New York, she decides she must travel there alone in order to discover who her mother truly is. The trip is a frightening yet exciting adventure for determined, courageous Heidi.

SO B. IT is a great read. The mystery is intriguing; the characters are quirky yet believable. If you're a sucker for a quest story with heart, the way I am, I predict you'll be "So Into It!"

(...)

"If truth was a crayon and it was up to me to put a wrapper around it and name its color, I know just what I would call it--dinosaur skin. I used to think, without really thinking about it, that I knew what color that was. But that was a long time ago, before I knew what I know now about both dinosaur skin and the truth."

Thus begins the remarkable story of Heidi It, the narrator of Sarah Weeks' compelling book, So B. It. Poor Heidi has grown up fairly isolated, with a mentally handicapped mother, an agoraphobic but good-hearted neighbor, and one neighbor boy whom she talks to when taking out the trash. But Heidi is wise and courageous beyond her years and experience. She has an innate thirst for knowing the truth of her background, and so she begins a remarkable journey across country to find someone who may know about her beginnings.

Children and adults alike will enjoy the chapter set up. You see, Heidi's mom only knows 23 words or expressions. Each chapter is named after one of those words and explores the significance of those words to both Heidi and her mother. There are some words that Heidi has no trouble understanding, such as "Tea" and "Back Soon." But one word in particular, "Soof," haunts Heidi. Her mother is incapable of explaining the word and her kind neighbor urges Heidi to ignore the word, but Heidi will not rest until she has an explanation for "Soof." The meaning of "Soof" is tied inextricably to everything Heidi needs to know.

There are plenty of twists and turns and magical moments as Heidi seeks to solve the mystery of her existence. Heidi is a fascinatingly complex character, and the plot makes for an exciting page turner.

Recommended ages: 9 to 109

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This is the best book I have ever read or heard from- It's not hard to understand, So B. It also has allot of detail. Heidi (Main character) Puts allot of emotion into her words, thanks to the award- winning auther, Sarah Weeks.. The ending is realy packed full of surprising info. on Heidi's mom who is disabled. Well, I won't write the entire story on this reveiw- Let's wait 'till you buy it and see for youre self!

Thirteen-year-old Heidi knows that her life is anything but conventional. Sure, her Mother loves her dearly, but seeing as how her Mother is stricken with a mental disability, it is extremely hard for her to take care of Heidi, or even show her how much she cares about her. That's where Bernadette comes in. Bernadette (Dette) is Heidi and her Mother's next-door neighbor, in the apartment building that they reside in in Reno. Dette's Father died a few year ago, leaving her some money, as well as well as agoraphobia, meaning that she can't go outside for fear. Everything is absolutely fine, until Heidi's Mother utters a mysterious word, soof, that begins to haunt her. Heidi quickly realizes that she must learn the truth, and uncover the secrets about her past. And soon she is on a cross-country journey doing just that.

Filled with dramatic twists and turns at every corner, Sarah Weeks has proved that she can not only write comedy well, but heart-warming, touching stories, that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished. Heidi is an amazing, heroic character, who finds the good in all, while at the same time having to deal with such a serious issue at home. Her Mother is kind and friendly, and someone whom you feel for greatly, as you realize just how hard it is for a person to have a mental disability. And Dette. Dette is a Godsend, who helps out with chores, and taking care of both Heidi and her Mother. All together they create an amazing force against the mental disability, proving that you can overcome even the biggest obstacles. A must have read for all, especially if you're looking to read an uplifting story.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I'd been meaning to read this book forever. I actually got it before the release date (5/04) and had it near the top of my ever-growing stack of review books, but somehow it kept getting moved back. The title (So B. It) intrigued me, as did the description on the back (even with the obvious similarities to the movie I am Sam -- though they are only "skin deep," so to speak).

I'm glad I finally put other books aside and picked this one up. It's a strange thing - even though this book is, in many ways, a sad one with kind of a depressing storyline if you just laid it all out...it makes me happy. Just thinking about it makes me happy. I'm not sure why that is, whether it is Heidi's quirky lucky streak, her mentally disabled mother's soft charm, or Bernadette's (her neighbor and the real caregiver in Heidi's life) oddness. But there's something about this book that just puts a smile on my face even with the rather sad and bittersweet ending it has.

Heidi's mother is really not functional on her own and can only speak a very few words. One word that begins to haunt Heidi is "soof" and she decides she has to find out what it means. Using clues she finds in an old photograph, she sets off on her own (Bernadette has agoraphobia and can't leave the apartment; besides someone has to look after Mama) to a little town called Liberty.

The trip itself is a wonder and I hate to tell you anything about it. I don't want to give too much away. Let's just say it brings up some unforeseen obstacles for Heidi. When she does get there, things aren't as easy as she'd hoped either. But, in the end - and for what it's worth - she finds out what soof means and the truth about her family.

Recommended for readers aged 10 and up. It's a gentle book and I think you'll like it.

An uniquely constructed and wonderful read, this is the story of a young girl living in Reno named Heidi and her journey to understand herself and her past. This is a more difficult mission than most, given that her mother (the only family she has) is mentally challenged and knows only 23 words. Bernie, the agoraphobic neighbor, is able to lovingly care for Heidi and her mother, So B. It (a name that Bernie claims is pure meanness) only because of the fortunate coincidence that their apartments connect though an interior wall. Fond of list-making, Heidi strings together clues until she decides to go to a mysterious place called Hilltop House in New York. There she hopes to find out once and for all what "soof" means, the only word of her mother's that she cannot figure out. Ultimately she discovers the limitations of knowing. She also discovers the rich layers of "soof." Each chapter is entitled one of the words in So B. It's vocabulary. Completely engaging with a likeable, strong-willed and determined young girl as the reader's guide. In some ways this work is evocative of Mark Haddon's autistic tale.

So B. It is trapped without language and without a way to help ground her daughter, Heidi is trapped in the unknown without much recourse, and Bernie is quite simply trapped, bound to her apartment lest some calamity befall her or those she loves. This is a book that invites you to question your assumptions about the world as well as yourself.

So B. It is an amazing story about a challenged woman who lives with her mother and six year old daughter. Now you wonder what does So B. It mean, well Sarah leaves that little clue to find out in your reading! Sarah uses a lot of mystery in her story, but also uses sadness and happiness features. The challenged woman only has a few words in her vocabulary, twelve to be exact. Weeks puts her writing into a format that really excites the reader. Every chapter is about one of the words she knows. Her daughter is very suspicious and try's to figure out what So B. It means. If you like suspense, mystery, and touching writing, then So B. It is the book for you!

I agree that it is indeed a touching book. But I gave it three stars for many reasons. First off, this book was very realistic to me. Alright yes, the beginning is believable, but the ending? Not to me. What girl goes across the country by herself with permission and never gets in trouble? Also this book wasn't one of those page-turners. In fact I found myself bored a lot of the time. I think this book would have been a great story-if only it was approached differently.