s to feel comfortable. She takes Sophie grocery shopping, as Sophie doesn’t drive. Rita also takes Sophie clothing shopping to help her with her style. Sophie does not want to be an inconvenience and is extremely polite. Sophie wakes up two hours early on Sundays to walk to church because she couldn’t dare ask the Riley family for a ride. When the find this out they feel horrible and insist she doesn’t walk. By this time Sophie has made her first friend who lives not far away. Sophie gets rides with her and has Sunday lunch with her. Sophie also meets a male friend whom she begins to date. He is a driving instructor and although things don’t work out with them romantically they stay friends and he teaches her to drive. Sophie has now become more independent. She has also discovered from her grandmother who she writes to back in Czechoslovakia that she has feelings for Mr. Riley. Mr. Riley shares these feeling and they kiss. Things get awkward when Craig catches them and believes Sophie really is there to take his mom’s place. Sophie decides it is time to move out and work more proper hours. It isn’t long after Sophie moves out that things get better. Mr. Riley talks with his children about the feelings that him and Sophie share. After a little talking and so major understanding the kids begin to really like the idea. Mr. Riley invites Sophie back in the home and they marry.This book deals well with the grief faced by a family who has lost a mother or father. It is not easy for children to loose a parent, but this book shows how the pain can be dealt with and how the pain lessens over time. I especially recommend this novel to people who have a close friend who has lost a parent as it gives the three children's perspectives on this very clearly. This book also shows the feelings of an immigrant, who is highly intelligent, but due to her lack of English is treated like a lesser human being. This book a...
