About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels the weight of adult worries or struggles to balance family duties with the social demands of school. This Newbery Honor classic follows Franny Davis, a young girl living in New York City whose family faces constant financial insecurity. Because Franny must care for her younger brother and help her mother, the only time she can connect with her best friend, Simone, is during their shared school lunch hour. While the setting is mid-twentieth century, the emotional landscape is timeless. It explores the sting of being 'the poor friend' and the complexity of maintaining a friendship when your schedules never align. It is a quiet, realistic, and deeply empathetic read for children ages 8 to 12 who are navigating social hierarchies or taking on significant responsibilities at home.
