Review Detail

Reader reviewed by bookworm9

At her city school, Anke releases a balloon with tree seeds and a letter attached. Miles away, on his father's farm in the bush, Freddie finds the balloon, plants the seeds and writes back. You couldn't find two more different pen pals-- Anke is the shy and protected daughter of Dutch immigrants, while Freddie has a physically absent mother, emotionally absent father, and a big temper. But over the years, the two become long distance friends as Freddie helps Anke deal with the death of her father and her stuttering, and Anke gives Freddie moral support in his lonely life. In part because of Anke's trees, Freddie and his father decide to fix up the farm. But if Freddie leaves, will his friendship with Anke be over?

This is an awesome, awesome book, about a long-distance friendship that becomes so much more. It's a very quick and enjoyable read.