Granny Torrelli Makes Soup (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Granny Torrelli is the story of friendship between twelve year old Rosie and the boy next door, Bailey. They have grown up alongside each other, and have shared everything together. Which is why Rosie doesn’t understand why Bailey gets angry at her for learning how to read his books — written in Braille because Bailey is blind. Added to the misunderstanding is the tension that arises when a new girl moves in across the street. A ‘too-friendly’ new girl who ’smiles all over the place’. A new girl who Bailey seems to like. Maybe even more than Rosie.The problems are simple, but the emotions are real, which makes the problems important both to Rosie and to the reader. The voices of the children are perfectly pitched, their thoughts, words, and feelings accurately tuned to who they are and what they are experiencing at the age they are experiencing it. But what makes this book so precious to me is the figure of Granny Torrelli, arriving in the midst of these boiling tempers and simmering problems. Rosie introduces her like this: ”Granny Torrelli comes over, says she’s in charge of me tonight. She wants soup. Zuppa! she calls it. She says it like this: ZOO-pah!”With the matter-of-fact bustle of a seasoned cook, Granny calls Rosie and Bailey to help her in the kitchen. They roll fresh pasta; mash ground beef, eggs, and onions into meatballs; stir spices into red sauce, and in the process of cooking, and listening to Granny’s stories about her childhood friend, Pardo, Rosie and Bailey learn to see beyond their hurt feelings and misunderstandings. Granny’s stories create the circular shape that Creech often uses in her writing — the cycle that moves beginnings to endings, to brand new beginnings. The beginning of her friendship with Pardo is an echo of Bailey and Rosie’s friendship. It’s ending creates a new beginning for them. The entrance of the new neighboor is another beginning that promises new returns.The story is a also a testament to the magic of the kitchen: of the nourishment that comes both from and through cooking, and also of the sense of comfort and connectedness that come from food. In a recent article in The Horn Book Magazine, author Linda Sue Park discusses the importance of food in the books we read and write. “Food and love are the earliest things we learn,” she says, “with the deepest roots and reverberations. Maurice Sendak knew this when he wrote in Where the Wild Things Are that Max wanted to be “where someone loved him best of all” — and that love was epitomized by a supper that was still hot” (”Still Hot: Great Food Moments in Children’s Literature,” The Horn Book Magazine, May/July 2009).Creech knew it, too, when Rosie carries the steaming bowl of cavatelli, “covered with the beautiful red sauce, to the table, and Granny Torelli brings the bowl of meatballs and spareribs, and Carmelita brings the extra sauce, and Bailey has the cheese, and Pop brings the salad, and Mom pours water in everyone’s glass.” The new neighbors are invited to the feast, and Rosie imagines “Granny Torrelli’s mama and papa and sisters and brothers and Pardo and my grandpa Torrelli, all up in heaven having their own pasta party.”“My world,” Rosie says, “seems a little bigger.” She is seeing those cycles that swell and repeat and never end, inspired by the nourishment that comes from the combination of friendship, love and food.
Rachel Gedies 74Granny Torrelli Makes SouptThe book I read for my book review was Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. The story is funny, heartwarming, and deserves a five star rating. I strongly recommend this book to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders because the story is about two life long friends, Rosie and Bailey, who are learning to deal with issues in their friendship. The story also involves Granny Torrelli, who helps her granddaughter Rosie, and Bailey ‘’Boy’’ learn how to resolve their issues when she brings them together to make ‘’Zuppa.’’tOne reason why I recommend this book is because Rosie and Bailey are dealing with relationship problems, which is something that most twelve year olds have to deal with. Rosie and Bailey have known each other for a very long time, ever since kindergarten, and have never really fought until now. Bailey, who is blind, gets mad at Rosie for learning to read his Braille book. Bailey doesn’t like that Rosie learned to read the one book that only he could understand. This was the one thing that he could do that she could not. Adding to the problem, tension rises when a new girl moves into the neighborhood, a girl Bailey seems to like a little too much, maybe a little bit more than Rosie. Rosie describes her as a girl who is ‘’ too friendly’’ and who ‘’ smiles all over the place.’’tAlthough Bailey may not understand Rosie’s feelings, Granny Torrelli does. The support and wisdom she provides is another good reason to read this book. Granny Torrelli purposely brings Rosie and Bailey into the kitchen to make ‘’Zuppa.’’ She shares stories with them about her childhood friends and the hurt feelings that she learned to deal with when she was Rosie and Bailey’s age. Granny Torrelli understands that time is precious and should not be wasted on unimportant things. She shares with them the story of a sick baby she once cared for. Granny Torrelli tells Rosie and Bailey, ‘’ I felt as if I was ten years older… I felt as if my life was bigger now.’’ (p. 136) Granny Torrelli understands the importance of connecting with one another. The kitchen is the perfect place to connect and find comfort through food. Through her stories, Granny Torrelli helps Rosie and Bailey work through their own hurt feelings and mis understandings. tGranny Torrelli helps Rosie and Bailey understand that jealousy is normal and that the best friendships will last no matter what they face. As they all join together to enjoy the feast they have created in the kitchen, Granny Torrelli exclaims, ‘’ Tutto va bene!’’ All is well!
What do You think about Granny Torrelli Makes Soup (2012)?
Granny Torelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech is a hilarious book that will make you want Granny Torrelli to be a part of your family. Not only does she know how to make some delicious meals, but her funny antics will crack you up. Granny Torrelli also serves up a side dish of wisdom to try to help Rosie see why jealousy is not the answer. It is a super book for people of all ages and I think kids in fourth through eighth grade will especially relate to Rosie. The book touches on blindness, friendship, and how we see what is inside of ourselves. I could easily relate to the characters because each one has such a strong personality. I really like Rosie and think she has many qualities that make me want to be friends with her. Granny Torrelli makes you realize that jealousy gets you nowhere. The style is unique and I loved the short chapters! If you have not read this story, I highly recommend it. It just may make you want to cook soup, or any meal, with a family member and you will try to appreciate what you have.
—Stephanie
A wise Italian grandmother imparts life advice (and cooking lessons) to her 12-year-old granddaughter, Rosie. Rosie’s story unfolds as she and Granny make and eat zuppa, and Granny Torrelli tells parallel stories from her own childhood to help Rosie with her current predicament. Rosie and Bailey are neighbors, born only a week apart. She has always been his helper as he was born blind. But now they have a falling out. As Rosie tells Granny, Bailey is acting spiteful, all because she tried to be
—Katie
What a cute story! Granny Torrelli, Rosie and Bailey seem to live an entire life in this extremely short novel by Sharon Creech (her husband is a former headmaster at Pennington!) Rosie is your "typical" middle school girl with a blind boy for a best friend (Baily) and a grandmother (Granny Torrelli) who has a knack for saying and doing the right thing at exactly the right time. And of course, the food makes your mouth water the entire time you are reading! You only need a few hours to enjoy this one, so give it a shot.
—Justin Langlois
