Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
14th out of 25 books
—
8 voters
A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt
Eleven-year-old Margo Bandini has never been afraid of anything. Her life in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with Mama and Papa and her little brother, Charlie, has always felt secure. But it's 1933, and the Great Depression is changing things for families all across America.
One day the impossible happens: Papa cannot make the payments for their house, and the Sheriff Sale sign g...more
One day the impossible happens: Papa cannot make the payments for their house, and the Sheriff Sale sign g...more
Paperback, 112 pages
Published
August 8th 2000
by Yearling
(first published March 9th 1999)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
210)
Eleven year old Margo Bandini has become accustomed to the tightening times of the Great Depression; of no money for candy and of seeing ‘Sheriff Sale’ signs in the front yards of her friends’ houses. She loves to sit and watch the passing trains with her best friend, Rosa, and to exchange bits of news with Mr. Frappa at the grocery market. Even though her little brother, Charlie, gets into all sorts of scrapes, life still goes on happily.
One day at school, Miss Dobson, the lovely teacher, sugge...more
One day at school, Miss Dobson, the lovely teacher, sugge...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Reason for Reading: Read aloud to ds as part of our history curriculum.
This is a fictional story but the author's note at the end lets us know that it is based on a true story of her grandfather who wrote to First Lady Roosevelt and received help from her. The story takes place in Pennsylvania, 1933, just in the beginning grips of the Depression. Margo's family is feeling the affects of rationing and slower business, but Margo feels secure even though she's seen one family on her street evicted...more
This is a fictional story but the author's note at the end lets us know that it is based on a true story of her grandfather who wrote to First Lady Roosevelt and received help from her. The story takes place in Pennsylvania, 1933, just in the beginning grips of the Depression. Margo's family is feeling the affects of rationing and slower business, but Margo feels secure even though she's seen one family on her street evicted...more
This book was great a complement to our US History lessons. It shows us the life of an Italian family during the depression. It was simple and not too long, the family was likable and hardworking, we truly felt bad for the community's problems as well. Just a good book to read with my 11 year old.
Lots to compare to and to talk about giving the way the previous administration left the country.
Lots to compare to and to talk about giving the way the previous administration left the country.
This is a very easy read, probably 3-4 grade level. It is a fictional story based on a real experience that happened to the author's family. The story is about a girl named Margo and her life experiences during the Great Depression. It reminded me of what is happening in the financial world today.
Well...since I am not impressed with the whole New Deal of FDR and since times are stinking tough in my world right now, I had a really hard time with this story. I'm glad things worked out for the author's family. Guess a more realistic view would have been a "better" read.
Read aloud for school and it is a heartfelt book based on historical facts, but the characters are fictitious. The end has a surprising end that one would think no way it could be true. Amazingly, it is part of the true story.
A short story of what the beginning of the depression was like for one girl and the letter she wrote to First Lady Mrs. Roosevelt. The story was based on a true story, but was also fictionalized.
This was one of the few books we weren't really excited about reading this year. We were pleasantly surprised. It was a refreshing story about hope and family. A quick read
TAKEN FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK
She opened her window and looked beyond the rooftops across the street. Her friends the stars were waiting for her. She wondered, Are there as many letters written to Mrs. Roosevelt as there are stars in the sky? Millions of stars…millions of people who need help…
She remembered Papa’s medal in her pocket. She pulled it out. Courage. Courageous. She could say it an She could spell it. But could She ever be it? She had to find a way to get her letter delivered to Mr...more
She opened her window and looked beyond the rooftops across the street. Her friends the stars were waiting for her. She wondered, Are there as many letters written to Mrs. Roosevelt as there are stars in the sky? Millions of stars…millions of people who need help…
She remembered Papa’s medal in her pocket. She pulled it out. Courage. Courageous. She could say it an She could spell it. But could She ever be it? She had to find a way to get her letter delivered to Mr...more
I2B first one for 2011/2012 yr. Good story, based on actual fact.
that in that time, people lost
their houses to the bank
The boys both really enjoyed this Sonlight read aloud. Could have been assigned to be read alone.
History Year Four
Aug 01, 2011
Cwbest
added it
Another great book!
I love this!
Violet's reading page: http://happyheartsmom.typepad.com/swe...
Read in a day, it's a quickie :)
Read in a day, it's a quickie :)
Cute, sweet story.
i really liked this book. its historical fiction. it was a very quick book and i really loved the main character's strengths such as her courage which help her save her home and family. Basically what i'm trying to say is that smallest of things can change your life. If u read the book u will understand what im talking about. apparently the story happened to the author.
Apr 14, 2008
Catherine
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
reluctant readers with historical fiction assignments
This book was a nice, quick read, and would work well for kids looking for historical fiction. The main character is 11, and the book totals 105 pages. Give it to a 5th or 6th grade reluctant reader who isn't up to slogging through 200+ pages of historical detail.
*Historical fiction
*Classroom use: Supplemental text while studying The Great Depression
Have students research and discuss the cause and effects of Black Thursday
*Classroom use: Supplemental text while studying The Great Depression
Have students research and discuss the cause and effects of Black Thursday
Like historical fiction & enjoyed reading this one with my daughter. Especially liked that it was based on a true story from the author's family
May 10, 2013
Karla
marked it as to-read-school-curricula
May 06, 2013
Lindsey
marked it as to-read-kids-books
Apr 22, 2013
Tabi
added it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
