Title: Blue Willow
Author: Doris Gates
Major Themes: California, Great Depression, Dust Bowl, Migrant Workers
Synopsis: Janey held on to her mother’s willow plate as a symbol of the home she badly wanted to have—but would the plate ever be in a real house?
Long ago, probably some 20 years ago, I read Blue Willow. Then, we moved overseas, and I didn’t bring that book along, but found another copy later. It languished on the shelf for many years, with no one touching it. In fact, someone in my family asked me one time if we should just discard that one because it didn’t appear interesting. I said no, that it was used by Sonlight Curriculum, and their books are generally good, so we were keeping it—although I couldn’t remember the story at all.
Publisher’s description:
To Janey Larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in her life, a symbol of the home she could only dimly remember. Now that her father was an itinerant worker, Janey didn’t have a home she could call her own or any real friends, as her family had to keep moving, following the crops from farm to farm. Someday, Janey promised, the willow plate, with its picture of a real house, her family would once again be able to set down roots in a community.
My thoughts:
We have finally read Blue Willow together. It turned out to be a wonderful story of a girl who wanted a home. When the story begins, her family has just moved into a shack, and Janey meets the girl who lives across the road. Is this her chance to find a real friend, after years of moving from place to place so often that she can’t really become friends with anyone?
I loved the themes in this book. The main theme seemed to be home, but family is also a very strong thread that runs through it, as well as friendship. One wonderful thing about the friendship is that Janey’s friend across the road is a Mexican girl, and that fact makes no difference to the way they interact. I also liked the way justice happened, when a crooked man was found out and got what he deserved. Then there was the beautiful picture of sacrificing a dream for another’s good…so beautiful! Don’t miss this story.
WARNING: Chapter 6: Heck, no; mention of a Negro competing with a white man.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, 12 – 15, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, 12 – 15
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Library Binding
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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