Applesauce Weather
Written by Helen Frost
Illustrated by Amy June Bates
This sweet and nostalgic novel in verse recalls a history of an extended family as it relates to an apple tree. The author uses four voices to relate the story and show the connections between current and previous generations. When the first ripe apple of the season falls from the tree, young Faith awaits the arrival of her great uncle, by marriage. Uncle Arthur was married to Aunt Lucy, with whom he planted the tree many years ago. He is the best storyteller in the family. Aunt Lucy has passed away since the previous apple harvest, but the whole family still hears her voice in their thoughts. Faith’s brother, Peter, seems to be following in the footsteps of Uncle Arthur, at least partially. Through these four, the reader learns of Arthur and Lucy’s courtship and the growth of the apple tree. Faith and Peter insist on hearing more about Arthur and how he lost one of his fingers. Peter, meantime, is fascinated by their neighbor, Rose Timmons, and wants to learn to carve wood like Uncle Arthur.
The illustrations have the same nostalgic and rustic feel of the story. The reader can almost taste the gingerbread with lemon sauce.
Fourth graders can learn a lot about poetry and practice literacy skills with this short novel. They can also learn about grief and family relations.
Title: Applesauce Weather- Author: Helen Frost
- Illustrator: Amy June Bates
- Publisher: Candlewick, 2016
- Reviewer: Sue Poduska
- Format: Hardcover, 112 pages
- Grade Level: 3 to 7
- Genre: Chapter Book, Poetry, Grief, Family
- ISBN: 978-0-7636-7576-9
