Squashed in the Middle

by Elizabeth Winthrop, Pat Cummings (Illustrator)

"I'm going to spend the night at Rosa's house," said Daisy. But nobody heard her.

Being a middle child isn't easy

Nobody ever listens to Daisy. Her father was chopping carrots. Her mother was talking on the phone. Her big sister was chasing her little brother around and around the kitchen table. So it was no surprise that no one heard where Daisy went, even though she told them.

With humorous text and striking, bold illustrations, this book captures the frustration of a middle child trying to be heard over the noise of a well-meaning family.

Genres: Picture Books, African American, Family, Childrens, Cultural, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP ALSOP (www.elizabethwinthropalsop.com), is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages, including ISLAND JUSTICE and IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, both available as e-books.

DAUGHTER OF SPIES: Wartime Secrets, Family Lies, her memoir about her parents' love affair during World War II and her own childhood in 1950s Washington as the daughter of a famous journalist, will be published October 25, 2022 by Regal House.

Her short story, The Golden Darters, was selected by Best American Short Stories by Robert Stone and was recently read on SELECTED SHORTS by the renowned actress, Ann Dowd. She is the author of the memoir piece, Don't Knock Unless You're Bleeding; Growing Up in Cold War Washington.The daughter of Stewart Alsop, the political journalist, she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Her historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE was chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for twenty-three state book awards and are considered children’s fantasy classics.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

For more information, www.elizabethwinthrop.com

Reviews

[Brianna N]

Summary: This book is about the parents who won't listen to the girl even when she says things that are very important. The girl feels very rejected even though she shouldn't. The girl does things so that her were going to eventually start listening to the her. They at the end of the book eventually started listening to her. I would be upset if my parents didn't listen to me.

Analysis: I like the pictures in this book. I liked the expressions in the book on the characters faces. The book shows what life is like as a middle child a lot of children can relate to being the middle child. I can not relate to being the middle child because I am the oldest child.

Use in the classroom: I would use this in my classroom to ask what child they are. We are going to make sure that the children don't feel like they are left out. They should be feeling included. The children can also learn their expressions with this book.

[Zoe Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squashed in the Middle is a great book about a middle child who is never heard in her family. Even though I am the youngest child, not the middle child, I identified a lot with the main character, Daisy.I too feel like I'm never heard in my family, as a matter of fact it has kind of become a running joke among my parents, sister and I that no one can hear me because I talk so much that my voice is just white noise. This story features a set of diverse characters dealing with some relatable circumstances. It uses language that kids will be able to understand and it the story is supplemented with super cute illustrations.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has gorgeous illustrations and is from the perspective of a middle child who doesn't feel heard in her family. Parents/educators who feel uncomfortable with the plotline of a girl deciding she is ready to go for a sleepover and her family being unsure where she is can talk about that with children when they read it. They can also talk about how she is loved and cared for. (Family member know which are her special things, for example). This one might help kids ask for the attention they need. I like this representation, which features diverse children and universal experiences more than it centers race.

(Yes, I am a middle child.)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture on the cover says it all. There we see a close up of a girl with her head in her hands and heavy-lidded eyes all capturing the frustration of a girl who must certainly be the one who feels “squashed in the middle.” Through the bright, expressive pictures and humorous text, the author and illustrator convey exactly what a good contemporary realistic fiction book should: help us feel empathy for a character that might be going through the same thing we are (or someone we know). Even if they are not a middle child, children can relate to that idea of adults or other family members not always listening to what they say. Most can relate to that need to be heard, acknowledged and appreciated.

I think a great book to pair this with would be Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst with illustrations by Ray Cruz. While the children in these stories are not going through the exact same situations, both elicit empathy from the reader. Both stories also deal with the idea of one’s family not listening to the main character. Both children want to be acknowledged and have their opinions valued. Both want to be appreciated, heard, and not ignored.

[Mhaneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story to give to a middle child if they ever feel left out. It follows Daisy, the middle child of her family, and how she feels when her family seems to ignore her for her other siblings. She finally gets their atention by sleeping over at a friends and when her family notices shes gone they acnowledge their unattentiveness to her and give her equal attention. The dialogue and illustrations were great in this book and complemented each other and the message the book gives about the troubles of being a middle child makes it relevant and a good all together read.

[Kira Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Squashed in the Middle is about an African American girl who tells about the struggle and issues of being a middle child in her family. This was a great picture book that younger elementary students would enjoy. This book can tie in a family structure unit of social studies for Pre-K-1st grade. Students can discuss what they feel their role is in their family and how they see themselves as the youngest, oldest, or middle sibling.

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and will get my hands on a copy for my classroom soon! There are so many opportunities for teaching reading and writing mini-lessons (repeated lines, making connections, etc). This story will get lots of students thinking about their families and siblings. I had never heard of this book until it was on the Fountas and Pinnell Genre list. I'm glad I checked it out!

[Stephanie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is all about the typical middle child in a family. The child can sometimes be forgotten or ignored, but at the end of the day, the family really does love the middle child. The book displayed different groups of people, such as African Americans and Asians. I thought it was good for children to see that people from other cultures can have similarities between their families.

[Lauren Barone · Rating 3 out of 5]

People of all cultures share many similarities, such as middle child syndrome. This book portrays a story of a young girl who is the middle child struggling to be heard over her large family. She feels unheard and left out as do middle children of many cultures. This book can be used to illustrate the similarities between cultures.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl who is the middle child in her family is feeling ignored. Whenever she has something to say, no one seems to hear her. How can she make herself heard?

This was pretty good for a children's book. Shows how the middle child in a family can feel left out, or ignored.

Nice illustrations. Bright, cheerful colours and a more realistic style.

[Sheniqua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story talks about a little girl who is the middle child. She feel like she just doesn't belong in her family. This book could be used to discuss self esteem and to highlight individual characteristics that make each person very special in their own way.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy's family not only doesn't listen when she speaks, they talk for her in public. Daisy is trying to tell them that she is going to spend the night with her friend Rosa, but nobody notices until she's gone. Finally, Daisy shouts to be heard and they realize that she can speak for herself.

[Ashanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was funny when Daisy sceremed at her family so they can hear her because they never listened to her

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to remind us to stop and make sure that we are listening to all of our children.

[Thuy · Rating 3 out of 5]

pictures were great. but the story was so so.

[Susanna S571 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute look at the plight of the middle child. Probably good for ages 3-8.

[Leeanna Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Daisy just wants to be noticed by her family. Being the middle child, Daisy is rarely heard around the house. One night, her friend Rosa comes over for dinner. While everyone is busy, Daisy tries to ask questions but eventually gives up. Her and Rosa sneak away to Rosa's house where Daisy can finally breathe. Her family comes searching for her and when they find her, they want to take her home. Daisy refuses to go home and finally tells her parents that she is never noticed at home.

I liked this book because it is really related, even if you are the oldest child in your family.