Horn Book Review
Small-town Mainer Lily and migrant worker Salma become fast friends, bonding over Lily's blind dog, Lucky. Lily wants to earn money for surgery for Lucky; Salma wants to win the local Blueberry Queen pageant. Both support each other's plans despite the obstacles (the operation is risky; "outsiders" never enter the pageant) in this warm-hearted, thoughtfully written tale of a memorable friendship. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Lily is from Maine and has been raised by her maternal grandparents on a blueberry farm. The farm employs a summer staff of migrant workers who typically never interact with the local community. But when Lily's dog eats the lunch of Salma Santiago, one of the migrant workers, an endearing bond develops between the two girls. The narration by Maria Cabezas is wonderfully done. Listeners will enjoy hearing the rich descriptions of Maine and the evolving friendship between Lily and Salma. The story offers listeners an opportunity for discussion about friendship despite perceived differences. VERDICT A heartwarming and thoughtful story of friendship, courage, and compassion. ["A thoughtful work that examines cultural bias and will spark discussion": SLJ 6/15 review of the Scholastic book.]-Jessica Gilcreast, Bedford, NH © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
It is a summer of change for 12-year-old Lily, who lives with her grandparents above their general store in rural Maine. Having grown apart from her boy-obsessed best friend and coping with her dog's increasing blindness, Lily finds a kindred spirit in Salma, whose migrant family works in the local blueberry fields. One constant in Lily's life is her longing for her absent mother, whose personality and fate Lord (Half a Chance) reveals measuredly. Salma, too, is grieving, having lost her own dog and many friends due to her family's frequent moves. Lord links images beautifully: Lily shows Salma how the fluted top of a blueberry resembles a star, and Salma confides that she is comforted knowing that the stars overhead are the same ones shining on her loved ones far away. Salma's artistic creativity and gumption awaken Lily to the power of imagination, the importance of embracing change and knowing when to let go of the past, and the rewards of venturing beyond one's comfort zone. Ages 8-12. Agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
When 12-year-old Lily's blind dog, Lucky, slips his leash and runs away across the blueberry barrens of Maine, a young migrant worker named Salma saves him from running into the road with her well-timed gift of a sandwich. The two girls quickly become friends and discover that each has a dream: Lily's is to earn enough money to pay for eye surgery for Lucky, hoping to restore his sight. Salma's is to become both an artist and the first migrant worker ever to win the Downeast Beauty Queen pageant. Will their dreams come true? And if they don't, will their friendship survive? Newbery Honor Book author Lord has written a quiet, gentle story of friendship, which occasionally a bit bland, lacking drama, and, with its few problems, too easily resolved. But the girls' friendship is appealing, and Lucky well, Lucky steals the show. Dog-lovers will dote on this one.--Cart, Michael Copyright 2015 Booklist
Kirkus Review
Lily, an orphaned 12-year-old who lives in a small eastern Maine town, becomes fast friends with Salma, a Latina migrant worker who has come with her family to pick blueberries.At first glance the distance between the pair seems vast, but they share some common interests, including finding a way to help Lily's elderly, blind dog, Lucky, regain his eyesight. Lily, who lives with her caring Franco-American grandparents, is plucky and determined; she's painting special houses for native mason bees to sell to raise money for expensive though risky surgery for Lucky. She's also dealing with the apparent unwinding of her BFF status with Hannah, reigning Downeast Blueberry Queen, a role that comes with a big monetary prize. Against all odds, including Lily's own incipient prejudice, Salma decides to run for queen, and, unexpectedly, Hannah offers useful assistance. Lord tenderly explores Lily's growing understanding of her own emotional boundaries, defined by her frustration over never having known her mother, fear of expressing her individuality, and wariness of changeall aspects of her personality that Salma gently reveals to her. Lily's likable voice believably discloses her maturing awareness of the limitations she's built around herself while also offering an accurate and appreciative depiction of a unique setting: the blueberry barrens of Downeast Maine. This sensitive coming-of-age tale compassionately explores prejudice and multiculturalism. (Fiction. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
