Ben and his sister Lizzie notice a homeless woman living in a box outside the deli. Not wanting her to freeze and starve in the harsh winter, they decide to take matters into their own hands and take soup and scarves from their home to help her. When mama finds out what the two have been doing, she decides to see how else the family can get involved. A heartwarming story about human kindness, I thought this book did a great job portraying homelessness and poverty. I think it is important that students are exposed to these topics. ( )

Two sisters discover a homeless woman outside of the Circle Deli. They know better than to talk to strangers, but still look for ways to help her. The girls sneak the woman crackers and peanut butter, clothes, and other supplies. Once their mother finds this out, she joins them in trying to aide the homeless. She even takes them to the soup kitchen, where they help more people like the lady in the box. ( )

It is cold outside. It is winter and it is also Christmas time. Lizzie and her little brother Ben have discovered that there is someone living in the box in front of the Circle Deli. There is a lady and she is homeless. They cannot fully grasp why she does not have a place to live, but they can and do help with what they can do to ease her burden on the sidewalk. They bring her hot soup, a scarf, a blanket, and peanut butter and crackers. Did they really think Ma wouldn't notice? Ma does her own investigation and discover the woman for herself. She cannot house her, but Ma does the next best thing: she fusses at the Deli owner for making her move from the warm grate in front the store. She and Lizzie and Ben also help out at the soup kitchen where the helpless and homeless can come get a hot meal. And then Ma does something else...she talks to her. Ma finds out what a lot of people quickly realize too late.....it is not too far of a distance from your last pay check to the sidewalk. ( )

Young brother and sister, Ben and Lizzie are walking home one day where they see a lady living in the box in front of a deli. They do not see her in the morning, however, they assume she puts her box in a safe place for the day and uses it at night. Knowing they are not supposed to talk to strangers, the siblings bring her peanut butter crackers, soup, and one of Lizzie's scarves. When their mom finds out, she suggests to Ben and Lizzie to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen, where they become amazed at how many people there are in New York who are starved and without homes. I think this is a heartwarming, and eye opening story for children to realize that homelessness does exist and there are safe ways that they can help in the community. ( )

Beautiful book!Iit's New York's winter and Ben and Lizzie are walking home. They are not supposed to talk to strangers, but they see a lady who lives in a box outside in the street.They want to help her but they are afraid mom will get mad. Thy start looking around the house what can they bring to her? They take peanut butter, soup and a scarf Lizzie has in her closet
It amazes me how kids show compassion so easily. this book exposes children to the homeless community and how they can help. When Ben and Lizzie's mom finds out about the Lady in the box, she offers them to start volunteering at the Soup Kitchen in their neighborhood. They are shocked of seeing how long the line is of people that don't have anything to eat.I loved the book and it saddens me to think books like this are rarely found in a school's library. ( )