Lenski, L. (1945). Strawberry Girl. New York: HarperCollins.
Summary
Strawberry Girl is set in the early 1900's in Florida. It tells the story of the Boyer family who move to Florida, with the main character being the daughter, Birdie Boyer. Birdie is excited to grow strawberries in order to sell them. Besides the weather, there is another major obstacle in the Boyers' attempt to acclimate to their new home and make a living. Their neighbors, the Slraters, are not fond of the Boyers and the fence they put up to protect their plants. The father of the Slaters is an alcoholic, and proceeds to lead his family in ruining the Boyers' crops and animals. The story does have a happy ending. The Boyer mother saves the life of the Slater mother when she is ill. The alcoholic father finds God and changes his ways. And the Slater son goes to school. (His brothers had beaten up the former school teacher, so he had been reluctant!)
My Impression
I always thought this was a sweet book about a girl growing strawberries. Now that I've read it, I know it is not that sweet! While the story is great, it won the Newbery Medal in 1946, it is full of violence. There is an alcoholic father who shoots the heads off of chickens with his shotgun, one by one. He disappears often, leaving his family alone. The boys beat up the schoolteacher. I'm not sure this book would meet the scrutiny of some of today's parents! The ending is wrapped up nicely with a bow - a little too unrealistic after all the realism the reader is dealt throughout the story! The characters talk in an extreme southern dialect that is confusing at times, and I imagine it would be even more so for younger readers. I think this book is a good story, but students might need help understanding it.
Library Usage
This book would be best read aloud by the librarian, perhaps with students having their own copy to follow along. Due to the dialect, I think students would have an easier time understanding the story this way. A large outline of Birdie on butcher paper can be made by the librarian. As the book is read, students can discuss the character of Birdie and fill in the outline with words that describe Birdie's character.
Review
Birdie Boyer is Strawberry Girl in this delightfully classic tale of frontier life in Florida. As newcomers the Boyers’ so-called uppity ways clash with the Slaters, their fence-hating, land-squatting, free-cattle-ranging neighbors. Birdie helps her Ma and Pa battle the Florida sun, drought, and sandy soil as they attempt to put in strawberry plants and tend to their orange trees. Problems abound and tempers flare as the Slaters and Boyers meet with trouble; fences are cut, hogs are killed, a mule is poisoned, and a raging fire is set. The Slaters are beset with tribulation due to the drinking, gambling, and irresponsibility of their husband and father. Mrs. Slater and her children find themselves indebted to the Boyers by a life-saving act of neighborly affection, which changes the heart of Mr. Slater. Lenski intersperses historical spice and appeal throughout her story, while illustrating the hardships and trials of life on the frontier in early twentieth century Florida.
DeWald, K. (2005). Children’s Literature. Retrieved on February 7, 2011 from
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