“I do think you should know I’m a very responsible twelve-year-old. I did all my own packing and unpacking when we had to move. And I would be a good farmer—I always get straight A’s on science projects, and I never forget to water my bean sprouts or anything.”

In Sophie’s first letter to Redwood Farm Supply, Sophie assures the owners of the company that she’s responsible enough for chickens. This passage introduces Building Responsibility Through Agriculture as a main theme of the novel and gives context about Sophie’s age and new living situation on a farm.

“Dad says he brought me here to visit when I was really young. I wish I remembered, but I don’t. I’m sorry. And I’m really sorry you died before I came back. Dad feels really bad about that too, especially since you left us your farm.”

In her first letter to Great-Uncle Jim, Sophie laments that she doesn’t have memories of his farm and that she didn’t get to know Great-Uncle Jim better in life. This introduces the theme of Coping with Grief Through Legacy by suggesting that Sophie can connect to him by carrying on Great-Uncle Jim’s farm.

“If she was Great-Uncle Jim’s, I think I should keep her. I’m very responsible. Do you have a manual or something? On special chickens, I mean? I already got a library book on how to take care of regular chickens.”

In this passage, Sophie once again assures Agnes at Redwood Farm Supply that she’s responsible enough, proving it by mentioning the library book she’s already checked out to learn about chicken care. It highlights Building Responsibility Through Agriculture because Jones suggests the complexities of agriculture and the resources and commitment that it requires.