The idea of the depression within the novel fits perfectly in introducing some significant issues that Allie experiences. In fact the author Mary Ann Hoberman, is able to fill the novel with a ton of issues that children face as they grow up into adults. The setting of the depression is important but the idea of depression as an emotional state is also significant in this novel. One character in particular that has been through the emotional stress that is depression is Meme. This is a brave character for Hoberman to include in the novel, as a lot of the issues brought about through this character are intense for a young audience. The story is able to intertwine the depression into a children’s book without dismissing the hardships the depression
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When we were alone he would play with me and hang out but when others were around he acted, as I did not exist. This is very similar to how Allie wants her relationship with Meme to be private from others. This can be seen most notably when Meme wishes to walk to school with Allie but Allie fakes being sick in order to avoid being seen with Meme. In fact Allie may actually like Meme but she is under pressure from friends who deem Meme disgusting. The story illustrates how Allie seems to be more intelligent for her own age as she realizes that it is not nice to treat Meme the way others treat her just because she is different. Allie might not be the best friend for Meme throughout the novel but at least she tolerates Meme. Allie seems to be aware that Meme is going through a stressful period in her life even suggesting changing games in order to appease Meme, when others wish to play the horse game. In summary this book deals with hard issues but is able to approach the issues and relate them to children. One way this story is able to do this is using Allie as the narrator of this story. This story deserves to be a historical novel as it illustrates to young children the different struggles different families had to go through during this time
When we were alone he would play with me and hang out but when others were around he acted, as I did not exist. This is very similar to how Allie wants her relationship with Meme to be private from others. This can be seen most notably when Meme wishes to walk to school with Allie but Allie fakes being sick in order to avoid being seen with Meme. In fact Allie may actually like Meme but she is under pressure from friends who deem Meme disgusting. The story illustrates how Allie seems to be more intelligent for her own age as she realizes that it is not nice to treat Meme the way others treat her just because she is different. Allie might not be the best friend for Meme throughout the novel but at least she tolerates Meme. Allie seems to be aware that Meme is going through a stressful period in her life even suggesting changing games in order to appease Meme, when others wish to play the horse game. In summary this book deals with hard issues but is able to approach the issues and relate them to children. One way this story is able to do this is using Allie as the narrator of this story. This story deserves to be a historical novel as it illustrates to young children the different struggles different families had to go through during this time