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469th out of 535 books
—
557 voters
Nothing to Fear
Thirteen-year-old Danny and his family are struggling to make ends meet in New York during the Great Depression. His father leaves to search for work, and Danny and his mother do what they can to survive. With his mother pregnant and unable to help, Danny is forced to beg for food. Through it all, they retain their good humor and family pride, and in the end help arrives i...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
August 27th 1993
by Sandpiper
(first published 1991)
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Nothing to Fear by Jackie French Koller was an excellent book that took place during the Great Depression. It was about a young boy named Danny who matures throughout the book. His family goes through a lot of hardships due to his father's unemployment. However, when something even worse than these hardships hits Danny's family, he will be forced to grow up a lot faster than others. I liked this book a lot because it really gave me a sense of what the Great Depression was like for everyday kids...more
gr 5-9 279pgs
1932-1933 NYC. 13 year old Danny didn't mean for the window to break. When the Sullivan twins ask Danny to create a diversion, they swore they were only going to steal candy instead they break Weissman's shop window. Danny is convinced Mr. Weissman has plenty of money and is horrified when his dad makes Danny promise to work off the debt. Danny discovers that Weissman is just as poor as everyone else and not as mean as he seems. As the Depression worsens, Danny must be the man of th...more
1932-1933 NYC. 13 year old Danny didn't mean for the window to break. When the Sullivan twins ask Danny to create a diversion, they swore they were only going to steal candy instead they break Weissman's shop window. Danny is convinced Mr. Weissman has plenty of money and is horrified when his dad makes Danny promise to work off the debt. Danny discovers that Weissman is just as poor as everyone else and not as mean as he seems. As the Depression worsens, Danny must be the man of th...more
A great historical fiction book, that was an engaging read. The main character Daniel takes you right into the book, and it is hard to put down. I felt connected to this character not only because of what he went through, but how he thought. The author Koller, knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat, and the falling action took another direction from what I had expected. It doesn't matter if you're not into historical fiction, and don't let the boring cover let you judge this book (I almo...more
This is an absolutely wonderful book about a boy and his family living in New York City during the Depression. Told in the first person view of the son, it conveys the emotion and desperation of the time. The imagery is beautiful-and the story so certainly a real depiction of events at that time. I found it especially interesting given the current economic condition and hopes that so many have for the new president-just as Danny's mom and so many others had hope in FDR.
I loved this book and high...more
I loved this book and high...more
This is a tale set in 1932, during the Great Depression. Danny Garvey is 13, the son of Irish immigrants, living in New York City. His father has been out of work for a while and, in desperation, decides to go on the road to look for work. Danny is left to face the day to day struggles of life, along with his mother and baby sister (And neighbors and friends and classmates....) as they long for his father's return by Christmas. My main complaint with the story is that the author pulls in too man...more
This is a great book about The Great Depression. The main character has to help his mom and his little sister to have a great life. When his father goes away to find work, Danny struggles to care for his family. Each chapter is very suspensful. This was also a very easy read and kind of sad, happy , and wierd in the ending. A great story to read in your freen time. Perfect for Young adults or Adults.
I learned from this book to be happy for what you have, because somewhere else it could be worse...more
I learned from this book to be happy for what you have, because somewhere else it could be worse...more
This is a compelling historical novel set during the era of the Great Depression. The story, set in New York, follows Danny Garvey, the son of two Irish immigrants. Due to hard economic times, Danny's father sets out from the city to find work, leaving Danny in charge of the home front. Throughout the book Danny and his family encounter many hardships, but persevere with faith and courage. An inspiring tale that's hard to put down, I highly recommend this book!
I have been reading this book with my class of seventh graders. They are so fine with it, which says a lot for them! I LOVED it in the same way I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The setting is the same, the Irish characters are reminiscent, but this book takes place during the Great Depression. It's won all manner of awards. Great writing. Believable characters.
This is a very good debut novel about a family in 1932-1934. It's a gripping story told as if the son [Danny] was telling it himself. I personally like stories where the main character becomes a "man." Or figures out his problems or whatever, and this definitely happens to Danny. This book is also in the sonlight curriculum.
I loved this book when I read (I think when I was like 12). It was one of my all time favorite books and I wish I still had a copy of it. A fictional story about a young boy growing up in during the great depression, it taught me a lot about where our country has been since the revolution and the civil war (the only parts of American history we spent enough time on for me to remember). When we visted Washington DC when I was 13, the FDR memorial meant a lot to me because of this book. Maybe I di...more
Loved it. The author has such a beautiful way of bringing her characters to life. Danny is so real and full even if his life is not something I can really relate to. I absolutely recommend this book.
I don't recall ever reading a book set in the depression era of American history. I found this book interesting and easy to read. I now have a better understanding of the struggle of this time period.
This book does an amazing job of capturing the true essence of a young boy growing up during the Great Depression and the struggles of that time period. I couldn't put it down.
This book was interesting to see how it use to be back in the depression, but maybe too much description of a guy's private life.
I read this book in class and every single person in my class agreed that this was an amazing book.
An easy read. Good for some insight into the Great Depression from a young boys POV. The beginning was better than the middle and end.
I read this book when I was a teenager and it really made me think.
Mar 30, 2013
Varun
marked it as to-read
How do you read the book help me someone
This was my favorite book in middle school.
This book about the great depression makes our recession seem quite mild. I don't know how people survived with so little. The story is very touching and funny. Even though people go through hard times they can still have a good laugh. And those times are what helps them cope. I really felt what the characters felt and my heart ached for them when life hit them right in the face. This is a book for youth but I enjoyed reading it.
A very moving book. I enjoyed the story and the characters.
This book was a glimpse into the era of the Great Depression. It really showed our grandparent's determination and hard work in the face of harsh times.
Jan 20, 2008
Sarah
added it
This book is about the life of a family during the Great Depression. The author's mother lived during that time and the book is similar to the stories that he heard her tell. It gives a good glimpse of how peoples' lives changed and how they stayed the same in some ways. It helps me to realize how real they and their troubles really were.
This book is about a Boy of 14 in NYC during the early days of the depression, his father leaves him in charge of his small family to go find work in the country. The story of this boy and his family and the things they deal with to stay financially alive is moving and I enjoyed every minute of it. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Jan 16, 2011
Megan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Megan by:
Mr. Eardley
Shelves:
read-again,
favorites
This book is one of those books that I turn to when there's nothing else I want to read. It's really awesome. I read it for the first time in 5th grade and have loved it ever since. I think I've read it like five times. I recommend it to all ages.
I read this book for school. And I have one question:
What is up with these school books????
They all have sad endings that get me really close to tears! But, it was still really good.
What is up with these school books????
They all have sad endings that get me really close to tears! But, it was still really good.
this book put me in the shoes of children during the depression. I really enjoyed reading it.
My favorite book growing up remains one of my all time favorites
It was one of the best books i've ever read!!!
First chapter book I remember reading
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| What's The Name o...: YA Book I read in the 90s. A second generation Irish immigrant, Danny, is living through the Great Depression and his father heads out west looking for work while Danny and his Mom stay back home in the city. [s] | 5 | 25 | Jun 13, 2013 10:39pm |
Aug 18, 2007 10:12am