Soupy Leaves Home

Starred review from March 1, 2017
Abused by her domineering father, Pearl reinvents herself as a boy and takes to the road.In the Depression-era United States, girls have few options, and headstrong and privileged white Pearl has a desire to learn. After her mother's passing, Pearl is left with her grief-stricken father, who communicates with his fists rather than words. In an impulsive moment, she cuts off her hair, exchanges her fine dress for dungarees, and introduces herself as a boy named Soupy. Soupy meets Ramshackle, an elderly white hobo and a perpetual dreamer who is able to see wonder in the mundane. Ramshackle takes her under his wing and helps her navigate life as a hobo. As Ramshackle's health declines, Soupy must decide whether she will ever reveal her true self to him. Told in graphic format, Soupy's journey comes alive through richly color-saturated, usually monochromatic panels that orient readers to a bygone era. Castellucci has created a strong heroine who both defies conventionality and embodies empowerment; as her transformative journey nears its denouement, she makes a resolute decision: "I have to go and face my things or else I'll never be free," a message still highly relevant to today's world. A compelling graphic offering that explores relevant gender roles and self-identity through a historical lens. (Graphic historical fiction. 12 & up)

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March 1, 2017

Gr 6 Up-Bookish Pearl cuts her hair short, dons a newsboy cap, and takes off in the night, intending not to be found. Wandering the railroad tracks disguised as a boy, she meets a seasoned runaway named Ramshackle, a kindly tramp who has hobo wisdom to spare. In this book set in a lushly depicted Depression-era America, Pearl (dubbed "Soupy" at a hobo encampment) and Ramshackle travel the country encountering criminality and compassion alike. Throughout their journey, Ramshackle gently invites Soupy to tell her story, though she is hesitant. Their philosophical conversations in train cars and by the campfire are eventually brought into sharp relief with brief flashbacks of the harsh world Soupy has escaped. Illustrator Pimienta works in largely monochromatic and moody tones sprinkled with gloriously vivid maps of the journey and evocative daydreams. Castellucci incorporates well-researched aspects of hobo life that will capture the imagination of those who have fantasized about life on their own, and undercurrents of feminism flow throughout Soupy's odyssey. While the protagonists' meandering heart-to-hearts can be irksomely vague, the moving lessons of honor and gratitude will resonate with sensitive readers. VERDICT A well-researched and richly illustrated runaway tale that will appeal to fans of escapist fiction and thoughtful readers.-Anna Murphy, Berkeley Carroll School, Brooklyn

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Grades 7-10 Fed up with her abusive father, Pearl runs away from home, disguising herself as a boy named Soupy. A hobo named Ramshackle takes her under his wing and teaches her the ways of the rails and how to see beyond the pain of the world. But despite his training, Soupy finds herself unwilling to face the demons she ran away from. A mix of metaphysics and historical fiction, Castellucci's story doesn't allow either to overtake the other. Ramshackle is a good man but he's also clearly flawed, as are many of the other characters Soupy encounters. She's hard to get to know at first, which fits with her cautious nature, but as she gains confidence, more of her personality and thoughts are revealed. Pimienta makes beautiful use of single colors to highlight his strong line art, switching from page to page to keep the reader's eye flowing across the tale. Though the ending is a bit too easy, the story definitely leaves contemplative readers with much to savor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)