Summary: Edith is one of twelve children in one family. She just wants to find her place in a family where she's not quite as mature as her sisters above her, but still has the responsibilities of caring for younger siblings. Dad owns a diner and Edith will eventually be expected to take her place in line in the family business in Baltimore, but one day her teacher takes notice of her and suggests that Edith might some day make a fine teacher. Edith is given hope in the midst of her trying to fit in somewhere in this world.
Personal Response: I liked this book. It was simply written, yet seemed forced at times (meaning the poetry and form seemed forced) but overall, it was a nice story. This was not, however, my favorite book written in verse, but I read it at the recommendation of two other librarians. The idea of this girl being "stuck" in the middle of so many siblings, and her desire of being noticed as an individual by her parents was realistic. I am only one of four children, and I sympathized with the character and understood how she felt. I was involved enough in this story to feel a connection with the various trials that she underwent, and I was very proud of her success in the end.
Curriculum Connection: I know for a fact that 4th-6th grade girls will eat this book up. They love books in verse, and there is an excellent lesson to learn about making one's self valuable in the world they live in. The emotional depth of this book will really draw readers in and the simplicity of the writing makes this accessible for almost all middle readers. ( )

This book is a delight and I absolutely adored it. I was drawn in originally by the title as I related immediately to trying to stand out in my own big family, and was so happy to find more connections while reading. This book proves itself to be one-of-a-kind because of its language, characters, and plot.

The descriptive language penned by Rosenthal in the poetic form is simply enthralling. Each phrase is constructed so precisely and beautifully. Although the poems do not rhyme, they still give off a flow and pattern which makes this book a breeze to read through. I love the language during the sadder moments in the plot because of the words and descriptions used to convey the emotions. When she says, “my hand feels awfully empty”, the reader immediately feels the grief on her shoulders.

The characters are ones that are relatable and beautiful. Even though there are so many characters in the big family described, each has their own characteristics that allow them to stand out. The narrator of the story is one that I connected with so easily, as I have experienced similar feelings that she has, especially since I am a middle child like she is.

The plot is another feature that is beautiful and enthralling. The story of this girl is told so well in such an organized manner. I like that she was able to tell her whole story in a way that is not overwhelming to the reader. Her transitions from story to story are effortless. For example, after her brother passed away, the next story was able to capture the same sadness while speaking of a different topic. I think this incorporation was lovely.

The main message of this book conveys the message that everyone is different and it is okay not to fully understand who you are right away. Your life experiences shape you and change you along your journey through life. This book captures this idea and the theme of self-acceptance effortlessly. What a joy. ( )

This would be a great book for teaching kids about poetry in that there are many different arrangements of prose but none of them abide by the standard, rhyming poetry that kids expect. Also, this book could be used as a history lesson about The Great Depression and why people were fleeing from their own countries to The United States. There are also cultural lessons to be learned about the Jewish people. Overall, this could be a great book that inspires interdisciplinary learning. I do have to say, Melvin passing away took me by total surprise and it made me shed some tears; this would be a tough books to teach because of its emotional factor but I think this makes it even more worth studying it. ( )

Good family story based on the experiences of author's mother growing up as one of twelve children in Depression-era Baltimore. ( )

Written in free verse about the author’s mother, who grew up as the fourth child of twelve in Baltimore during the 1930s, this book explores her challenges of being her own person while getting along with her siblings. ( )