So B. It by Sarah Weeks Date of Publication: 2004 ISBN: 0064410471 Number of Pages: 245

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: Average Intermediate : Low/ Average
GENRES: Realism
THEMES : Coming of Age

SUMMARY:
Heidi doesn’t know her birthday, her mother’s real name, or anything about her past. She only knows what her life became after she and her mentally-challenged mother showed up at Bernadette’s apartment door. Bernadette (Bernie) helps to take care of them, and the three of them have become a kind of family.

When Heidi gets older and starts to piece together clues from the past, she decides that she needs to know about her origins. Her mother can’t tell her, and Bernie is agoraphobic and won’t leave the house. As a result, thirteen-year-old Heidi leaves Reno and travels to Liberty, New York in search of her past. What will Heidi discover while in Liberty? Are some things better left unknown?

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- likes books that keep you guessing until the end
- always wanted to go on a “road trip” alone
- enjoy emotional books
- has a mentally disabled family member
- is interested in geneology
- has an unusual family situation

WHAT ELSE?
This book as been chosen as an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults.

As the mother dies at the end, children who have recently lost a family member might find this striking too close for comfort, so be aware.