Maddi's Fridge

APA Bibliography:  Brandt, L. (2014). Maddi’s Fridge. New York, NY: Flashlight Press.

Readability Lexile: 430L

Book Information: https://www.booksource.com/Products/Maddis-Fridge__9781936261291.aspx

Online Read-Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UDBKwFyvgk&t=149s

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book Fiction, Children's Literature, Multilingual

Author Information: https://www.loisbrandt.com/about-lois

Illustrator Information: http://www.vinvogel.com

Summary: This book is about the friendship of Maddi and Sofia. These two girls are best friends; they live in the same neighborhood and go to the same school. While playing, Sofia discovered that Maddi doesn't have anything in her fridge. Sofia asked why Maddi's mom doesn't go shopping. Maddi told her that they don't have enough money. She made Sofia promise not to tell anyone. Everyday Sofia would take food from her fridge and hide it in her backpack to give to Maddi. They find out that food is made for fridges, not backpacks. Sofia ends up telling her mom about Maddi's problem. Sofia's mom buys all kinds of groceries to give to Maddi's mom.

Target Audience: This book was made for children in grades Kindergarten to 3rd grade. This book is funny and shows true friendship. Sometimes it is okay to break promises to help the people that you care about. 

Evaluation: I really liked this book because it is very relatable to families who live in poverty. Just because families have a place to live, it doesn't always mean that they have food in the fridge. Maddi may not have food to eat, but she sure does have a best friend. This book gives hope to children in poverty. Just because you do not have food, does not mean you can't have a best friend. 

Reader Response Activity: An activity that you can do will be very helpful to people. You can have students bring in non-perishable food items and start a food pantry at school. Students who need the food items can take them from a box that is open to all students. You can set the box up in the school lobby or somewhere else. Students can take the items from the box and not be judged for it. Another activity you can do is to have the students do research with an adult, and bring in a recipe that requires very few ingredients. You can print out the recipes to give to parents who need them.