Strawberry Girl - by Lois Lenski (Hardcover)

About the Book

Ten-year-old Birdie Boyer can hardly wait to start picking the strawberries. Her family has just moved to the Florida backwoods, and they haven't even begun their planting. Making the new farm prosper won't be easy--what with the heat, the droughts, the cold snaps and the neighbors.

Book Synopsis

Rediscover this Newbery Medal-winning classic, a favorite of generations.

Strawberries--big, ripe, and juicy. Ten-year-old Birdie Boyer can hardly wait to start picking them. But her family has just moved to the Florida backwoods, and they haven't even begun their planting. "Don't count your biddies 'fore they're hatched, gal young un!" her father tells her.

Making the new farm prosper is not easy. There is heat to suffer through, and droughts, and cold snaps. And, perhaps most worrisome of all for the Boyers, there are rowdy neighbors, just itching to start a feud. The land was theirs, but so were its hardships.

Teachers, grandparents, and homeschooling families continue to reach for Lois Lenski's Strawberry Girl. As one fan commented, a reason for its continued success is that it's "a touching, realistic tale of the power of neighborly love and kindness."

From the Back Cover

Birdie Boyer was a Florida Cracker. She belonged to a large "strawberry family," who lived on a flatwoods farm in the lake section of the state. They raised strawberries for a living.

Through all the hazards of the uncertain crop -- battling against dry weather and grass fires, the roving hogs and cattle of their neighbors -- Birdie dreamed of an education that would include playing the organ. In the end she won not only the title of "strawberry girl," but book learning as well.

This is a story full of enterprise and fun and tire excitement of real life in this interesting part of America.

Lois Lenski has used again her gift for catching the flavor and drama of life in a remote corner of America. It is the second of a series of regional stories through which she promises to introduce other fascinating and little-known backgrounds to boys and girls. This story will take a place beside her popular Louisiana story Bayou Suzette in the affection of readers.

The eighty-four illustrations are distinguished for their action and fascinating detail. They add greatly to this true picture of Florida life at a time when old Florida ways were changing to new.

Winner, 1946 Newbery Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1945 (ALA)

Review Quotes

"Fresh and authentic." -- New York Times

"A vivid regional story, with the humor and kindliness of an understanding writer." -- Horn Book Magazine

"A delightful story that chronicles the struggles and achievements of a Floridian pioneer family. The story, historical foundation, dialogue, characters, and illustrations combine to create a timeless tale everyone will enjoy. The Boyer family relocates to the backwoods of Florida and plans to begin farming strawberries. Their new neighbors resent the Boyers and conspire to stir up trouble. Soon a feud erupts between the two families. The simple compassion of one woman ultimately saves both families from the looming hatred and destruction. Lenski paints a picture of Florida backwoods life with tales of frontier schools, social gatherings, and neighborly kindness." -- Homeschooling Today