A Begonia for Miss Applebaum

This is the story of two teenagers and their teacher, Miss Applebaum, who is dying (presumably of cancer, but her disease is never actually named). The two teenagers, Henry and Zelda, are very different from each other, but very close friends. They take turns telling the story of their relationship with Miss Applebaum as she slowly dies. The story is quiet, with few major plot moments, but very powerful. There are so many facts packed into this book that it almost boggles the mind, and yet they never feel forced - it seems totally natural that Miss Applebaum would babble information at them in an attempt to teach them everything she can while she’s still got time.

The most interesting part of the book was Henry and Zelda’s musings on show more death. They explain their fears, thoughts and wishes in terms of dying. We learn that Henry believes that he will always be connected to everything else, but fears death by falling pianos and spectacular car crashes. Zelda is more afraid of death itself and less of the act of dying. The discussion of death is carried throughout the entire book, not always obviously there, but always just below the surface ready to peek out from time to time. It deals with death both concretely and philosophically and does an amazing job with both. I’m not sure that I’ve ever read an adult book that deals with the subject near this well, and certainly never before found it in a children’s book!

The writing in the book is fantastic. Each narrator, Henry and Zelda, has their own distinct voice and way of telling the story. Henry is very methodical and records what happened when and exactly what he saw. He’s almost scientific in his way of telling the story, but never ever cold. His observations tend to focus on the big picture and rarely give details or more than cursory emotional impressions. Zelda is less linear and far more artistic in her descriptions. Her storytelling is full of emotion and imagery, but often less clear about what is actually happening. We know she’s upset, but not always sure why (and it seems that she isn’t sure why either sometimes). Her descriptions are amazing, though. They are poetic and so full of colour, detail and emotional reactions that you can’t help but sink into them! As different as the two narrative voices are, they work together brilliantly. They work with each other to tell the story beautifully and completely. It’s masterful.

The emotional impact of this book is strong, but it is also very thought-provoking. It made me think about death and about the way we think about death. It made me wonder what I would have done in Henry or Zelda’s place and fume at Miss Applebaum’s niece’s actions. It was emotional to read and made me wish that every story I read felt as real as this one. It was brilliant and I highly recommend it. It is sad, but it’s totally worth reading. show less

Other people might think Miss Applebaum eccentric, but to Zelda and Henry she's the most special teacher they've ever known. They buy her a gift when she retires, but meeting her means having to face up to more in life than they imagined.

Henry and Zelda arrive at the beginning of the school year to find that their favorite teacher, Miss Applebaum, has retired. They decide to bring her a begonia, and soon learn that she is actually dying of cancer. But, Miss Applebaum has quite a few more things to teach them before she goes.
This novel is at times wacky and delightful, at times poignant and grave, and always quite genuine and believable. One wishes for her own Miss Applebaum to learn from.

I discovered Paul Zindel as a tween in the 1970s and like many kids my age, I read The Pigman and loved it.

Fast foward decades and I am now 55 and loved the above book which was written long after I was an adult and it is as wonderful as anything else I've read by him. He was a marvelous storyteller and I am sorry that he is no longer with us, as there will not be any new book forthcoming.

I hope to read everything he has ever written in time - my library does not own everything, so some of them I will have to buy on Amazon or Ebay.

Highly recommended ! A

Henry Ledniz and Zelda Einnab are distressed when their favorite science teacher, Miss Applebaum, retires suddenly. When they take her a begonia, Miss Applebaum meets them at the door wearing a bathrobe. She is obviously tired and having trouble breathing. Dr. Oblicheck comes, and Henry and Zelda see him stick a long needle into Miss Applebaum's chest. The treatment leaves her feeling better, and she invites them to spend next Saturday in Central Park. Before Saturday arrives, Zelda finds out that Miss Applebaum has terminal cancer. At Central Park, Henry and Zelda watch Miss Applebaum feed the homeless. She shows them her favorite haunts and Central Park's "roller coaster." After returning to Miss Applebaum's apartment, Bernice, Miss show more Applebaum's niece, arrives and orders her aunt to bed. She tells Henry and Zelda to let her aunt die in peace. Miss Applebaum assures Henry and Zelda that Bernice’s only real concern is Miss Applebaum’s estate. Ignoring Bernice's advice, the trio's next jaunt is to the Metropolitan Museum. Then, Henry and Zelda talk Miss Applebaum into seeing an oncologist who puts her in the hospital for treatment. Henry and Zelda soon realize that they’ve made a mistake. Miss Applebaum's cancer is so advanced that she’s destined to die in the hospital. Instead of leaving her to “die in peace,” they help her live for the time she has left.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com show less

I remember reading this book in jr. high school. Paul Zindel really turned me on to reading, and this one is my favorite. I recommend it most highly for the adolescent reader.

I really do like the characters Paul Zindel writes into his books.