THE BRAID

Frost, Helen. The Braid. NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006.
ISBN: 0-374-30962-0; $16.00 US; Hardcover.

(Image Credit: http://www.sarahmillerbooks.blogspot.com/)

AWARDS/HONORS/REVIEWS

ALA Best Books for Young Adults

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice

NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts

Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry Honor Book

ANNOTATION:

Through narrative poems, the story of separated sisters, who each carry a braid of their woven hair, is portrayed.

BOOKTALK:

Sarah and Jeannie face an insurmountable obstacle when their family must be separated. Sarah chooses to remain behind with grandmother in Scotland; Jeannie will travel to Canada with the rest of the family. How can two sisters, two girls who in spirit have become one, ever say goodbye?

"Then Sarah braided my hair with my own, close and tight, so our heads were touching...She must have stayed awake until I slept. She must have had her sewing scissors tucked into her pocket. She'd cut the braid close to our heads, tucked half into my hand-You/me/sisters/always."

A small braid of hair; yet, a token that forever binds Sarah and Jeannie as they grow up. Both experience sadness and first loves, but more importantly, develop the courage to stand up in life and demand more. Will Sarah and Jeannie ever see each other again? Find out what happens when love and hope is woven into The Braid.