So B. It Summary
At a Glance:
- Genre: Coming-of-age novel
- Setting: Reno, Nevada and Liberty, New York
- Perspective: First-person, from Heidi's point of view
So B. It tells the story of twelve-year-old Heidi, who embarks on a life-changing journey to uncover the truth about her past. Living with her mentally disabled mother, Sophia Lynne DeMuth (So B. It / Mama), and cared for by their agoraphobic neighbor, Bernadette, Heidi's life is filled with love but also with unanswered questions. Fueled by a single, mysterious word her mother often utters, "soof," Heidi sets out on a quest that will redefine her understanding of family, identity, and the power of love.
Plot Overview
Act 1: A World of Unanswered Questions
Heidi's world in Reno, Nevada, is anything but ordinary. Her mother, Mama, has a limited vocabulary, and Bernadette hasn't left her apartment in years. Despite these challenges, their home is filled with love and quirky routines. However, Heidi is haunted by questions about her father, her birthday, and their life before Bernadette. The word "soof," one of Mama's few words, becomes an obsession for Heidi, a symbol of the unknown that she desperately wants to understand, driving her search for identity and history.
Act 2: The Journey Begins
The discovery of an old camera and the developed photos of a Christmas party at "Hilltop Home" in Liberty, New York, serve as the catalyst for Heidi's adventure. Recognizing a younger, pregnant Mama in the pictures, Heidi is convinced that the answers she seeks lie in Liberty. Unable to get information over the phone and with Bernadette unable to travel, Heidi takes matters into her own hands. Using her uncanny luck, she wins enough money to buy a bus ticket and embarks on a solo cross-country trip, marking a significant step in her coming of age and independence.
Act 3: Revelations and Loss
Arriving at Hilltop Home, Heidi encounters Elliot Hill, a resident who also says "soof." Confronting the facility's director, Thurman Hill, Heidi learns the shocking truth: Mama was a resident at Hilltop and had a relationship with Elliot, resulting in Heidi's birth. To avoid scandal, Thurman paid Heidi's grandmother to take Sophia away. Just as Heidi processes this revelation, she receives devastating news: Mama has passed away. Overcome with loss and grief, Heidi finds support from Roy Franklin and Ruby Franklin, who help her arrange Mama's burial in Liberty.
Act 4: Finding Peace
In the aftermath of Mama's death, Heidi delivers a heartfelt eulogy, reinterpreting "soof" as Mama's word for love. Returning to Reno, Heidi is forever changed. She enrolls in school, embraces a more conventional life with Bernadette, and comes to terms with her newfound family history, even leaving the door open for a relationship with her grandfather, Thurman Hill. Her luck with gambling disappears, replaced by a genuine sense of self.
Central Characters
Heidi It
Heidi It, the protagonist, is a resilient and resourceful twelve-year-old. Raised in isolation, she possesses a unique blend of naiveté and wisdom. Her determination to uncover her past drives her courageous journey, transforming her from a sheltered girl into a self-reliant young woman.
Sophia Lynne DeMuth (So B. It / Mama)
Heidi's mother, Sophia, is the heart of the novel's mystery. Though limited in her verbal abilities, she is portrayed as a loving and deeply feeling person. Her disability shapes Heidi's life, but her existence also inspires Heidi's quest, demonstrating that a person's worth is not defined by their cognitive abilities.
Bernadette
Bernadette is Heidi's guardian, teacher, and protector. Her agoraphobia confines her to her apartment, but her intellect and love create a safe and enriching world for Heidi. She represents the power of knowledge and the fierce protectiveness of love, paradoxically sheltering Heidi while also pushing her towards independence.
Key Characters and Their Roles
| Character | Role in the Narrative on the market. | Thurman Hill | Antagonist / Grandfather
Major Themes
So B. It explores themes of identity, family, and the power of words. A Theme Overview provides a broad look at these central ideas.
The Search for Identity and History: Heidi's quest to uncover her past is not just about finding facts; it's about understanding who she is and where she comes from. Her journey from Reno to Liberty is a physical manifestation of her internal search for a personal history, highlighting the importance of knowing one's roots.
Unconventional Family and Love: The story challenges traditional definitions of family, showcasing the loving and functional unit formed by Heidi, Mama, and Bernadette. This theme emphasizes that love and care, rather than blood or convention, are the true foundations of a family.
The Power and Limitations of Words: The novel contrasts Bernadette's extensive vocabulary with Mama's limited one, questioning whether a vast lexicon is necessary to express deep emotion. The mystery of "soof" underscores how a single word can hold immense power and meaning, communicating love beyond the constraints of language.
Literary Significance
So B. It is a significant work in contemporary middle-grade literature for its sensitive exploration of complex themes. Published in 2004, it exemplifies a story that trusts young readers to engage with difficult emotional material.
"The truth is, whether you know something or not doesn’t change what was. If dinosaurs were blue, they were blue; if they were brown, they were brown whether anybody ever knows it for a fact or not."
This quote encapsulates the novel's philosophical core. The book is celebrated for its complex portrayal of disability, its strong and proactive protagonist, and its nuanced exploration of family, broadening the definition beyond biology and celebrating the power of love and support.