Sauerkraut by Kelly Jones, art by Paul Davey. Knopf, 2019. 9781524765958
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Ghosts
What did you like about the book? Thought all ghost stories were scary? Not this one. A cranky ghost, who turns out to be the great great grandma of the main character, HD, just wants to make sauerkraut. Liberated from her old sauerkraut crock when HD was cleaning out his uncle’s cellar, she is largely benevolent, but quite demanding. HD and his friend Eli, 12 year olds, are makers and scientists and seize the opportunity to use the scientific method to understand the apparition better. Unlike some ghost stories, everybody believes that Oma, as HD calls her, is there, so there is no angst about proving her existence. The challenge is managing her insistence on making sauerkraut, along with the science fair projects the two friends want to complete over the summer, caring for a neighbor’s goats, and creating a goat obstacle course for fun. Scientifically inclined kids will appreciate the boys’ absolute belief in observation and planning, especially when HD builds a computer from scratch, which is described in detail. HD and Eli are fastidious in their methods, and it’s possible that they are atypical learners, and the book celebrates the positives about these traits. HD lives in a loving biracial family, his father German-American and his mother Black American. German phrases are sprinkled throughout, as HD seeks to learn some German. Micro-agressions because of his skin color are part of the every day for HD, and are discussed with his loving family. This a thoughtful story about living with an old person, whether ghostly or not. Black and white line art adds appeal.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? For fans of Kelly Jones’ other novels, and for science-y middle grade readers who don’t mind a ghost in the mix. Also, for the fringe crowd who loves anything about Germans or sauerkraut.
Who should buy this book? Elementary, middle school and public libraries
Where would you shelve it ? Fiction
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: January 20, 2020
Youth Services Book Review 
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