  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 06/01/2016 Gr 3–5—The fall of the first apple from the tree is the signal to Faith and Peter that it is applesauce weather and their aunt Lucy and uncle Arthur are on their way. But Peter and Faith aren't sure if Uncle Arthur will make it this year, as it is the first without his beloved Lucy. When Uncle Arthur finally arrives, he is not quite himself. He has lost the twinkle in his eye, and he is not energetically spinning yarns as he usually does. Faith and Peter are patient and slowly bring Uncle Arthur back to himself. They are hopeful that this will be the year he finally tells them truthfully how he lost his finger. This sweet story is told in verse through short, alternating chapters. Readers learn about Faith, Peter, and Uncle Arthur's perspectives and personalities through individual narrative poems. The book is divided into eight parts, each preceded by short poems entitled "Lucy's Song," through which readers are also introduced to Lucy and Arthur's life story from Aunt Lucy's point of view. The illustrations are charming and bring the setting to vivid life. VERDICT This quick, charming read is suited for those newly introduced to poetry or coping with a loss.—Tiffany Davis, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2016 The first fallen apple of the season heralds the beginning of “applesauce weather” and Uncle Arthur’s usual visit to Faith and Peter’s family. However, the passing of Aunt Lucy (the family’s applesauce maker) could mean the family’s best storyteller will not be up to spinning his usual entertaining yarns. No worries, though, as he comes up with the finest version yet of his perennial story of how he lost part of one finger: missing-fingered peddler gives him a pocketknife with instructions to sleep with it open under his pillow: “When I woke up/ the next morning-would you believe it?/ My finger looked/ like it looks today.” When Faith wonders about the truth of the tale, Uncle Arthur encourages her to come up with her own explanation for what really happened, thus sparking the beginnings of a new family storyteller. Young Faith’s voice alternates with those of older brother Peter and Uncle Arthur; the late Aunt Lucy’s voice is included as well, in a song that stitches together the eight short parts, or chapters, of the book. Frost’s poetry-both free verse and rhyming-is warm and specific, as crisp as the crunch of a ripe apple. Romance, grief, and growing up are also expressed through the various characters’ narratives and provide pauses for reflection without disrupting the flow. The frequent monochromatic illustrations are sketchy and vigorous yet structured, and they add cozy charm and texture to the story. Folks looking for poetic narratives or rich family drama for the middle-grade set will find this book to be in apple-pie order. JH - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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