Sophie Sea to Sea

Sylvia Pantaleo is an assistant professor of education specializing in
children’s literature at Queen’s University and the co-author of
Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary Classroom.

The year is 1949 and 10-year-old Sophie LaGrange loves Star Girl, a
heroine in a comic-book series. Sophie has an extensive collection of
Star Girl comics and often imagines how the super heroine would act in
various situations that Sophie finds herself.

Sophie, her three older brothers and one younger brother, and their
parents embark on a cross-Canada car trip from Montreal, Quebec, to
Mallardville, B.C., because Sophie’s father has secured new
employment. Sophie experiences adventure in every province. In Ontario,
she saves her cousin who has fallen into a river. In Manitoba, a chicken
called Big Bad Bertha causes problems that result in Sophie’s rescuing
her younger brother. In Saskatchewan, Sophie escapes from an unfriendly
bull, and in Alberta, she wins a soapbox derby. Once the family settles
in Mallardville, Sophie makes a new friend in school, assists the other
girls in her class with dancing lessons, saves the class play, and
actually flies—with the assistance of a kite.

In addition to getting a glimpse of Canada in 1949, readers will enjoy
Sophie’s humorous adventures. Although her escapades are predictable
and her antics manage to get her into trouble, her intentions are
generally admirable. The book’s historical setting accentuates
Sophie’s actions as atypical gender behaviors. A one-page synopsis of
each province and territory, featuring quick facts and historical
information, is included. Recommended.