Iggie's House

Winnie Barringer is sad because her best friend, Iggie, has moved to Japan, but they have promised to write to each other everyday. Winnie discovers that a new family has moved in to Iggie’s house, and Winnie is excited about welcoming the Garbers into the neighborhood. They are the first African American family to move into the neighborhood. Leave it to Iggie’s family to sell their house to an African American family. Winnie is anxious to show Glen, Herbie, and Tina around the neighborhood, and the Garbers (except Herbie) are glad that they have a friend, but not everyone in the neighborhood feels the way Winnie does. Mrs. Landon, a neighbor, starts a petition to pressure the Garbers into moving to a different neighborhood, but much to Mrs. Landon’s chagrin, Winnie starts a questionnaire of her own. People can’t be treated this way. Will the Garbers be driven out of their new home? Will their friendship with Winnie last?

What’s fair and decent to one person may not seem fair and decent to another person. People are people, and their differences make them unique, and people should celebrate those differences. It is important to get to know people before making harsh judgments or decisions about them. It is also important to remember that sometimes people just need a friend to talk to and be there for them and not someone to fight for them.