From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

Countdown
by
Start date
September 1, 2010
Finish date
September 30, 2010
Discussion
Book of the Month 2011
Why we're reading this
"Countdown" was chosen over "The Dreamer" by Pam Munoz Ryan. You can read both if you want to read a litt…more

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Group Discussions About This Book

November Read - The Kneebone Boy
By Kristen · 15 posts · 68 views
last updated Mar 26, 2011 01:49PM
December Read - The Dreamer
By Kristen · 9 posts · 51 views
last updated Dec 30, 2010 09:21PM
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What Members Thought

Angela
Jun 29, 2012 rated it it was amazing
The audiobook edition of Deborah Miles' historical novel is a wonder. 12-year-old Franny Chapman feels invisible to the world--from her teacher who skips her in class read-alouds, to her once-best friend who now acts mean to her. From the personal, we are drawn in and then our view widens and we're also taken on a journey of American in 1962 during the Cuban Missle Crisis, with all its song bits and news stories and famous people of the times. Though we can't hear the clip of the real songs, the ...more
Jaclyn
Loved loved loved this book. The "documentary novel" style really sets the tone and gives the reader a solid idea of time and place. I found myself wanting to skip ahead and browse through the photos, quotes and documents that are scattered throughout. The story was excellent as well. ...more
Sarah
Jul 19, 2010 rated it really liked it
I thought this was a great J FIC set during the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 60's. The story follows Franny and her family as they cope with the paranoia of the era, but really it is about her friendships and relationships with her various family members. I love Wiles writing and her inclusion of graphic pictorial snippets of the era enhances the backdrop of the book. Should be on Newbery lists. ...more
Elisabeth
Sep 13, 2010 rated it really liked it
Franny Chapman is an eleven year old girl. Her story takes place in 1962 during the Cuban Missle Crisis. It seems like her whole world is crumbling around her. Important people in her life are becoming unstable and so are her valued relationships. Franny stayed true to her "square" self and learned a valuable lesson that would translate well globally and historically. This was my first "documentary novel" and I found the footage throughout the book fascinating. I read this is the first part of a ...more
Megan
Jun 20, 2011 rated it really liked it
I really liked this book . . . I liked learning about the cold war and the civil rights movement along with a good story of friendship
Kristen Jorgensen
Nov 08, 2010 rated it it was amazing
I thought this was "distinguished," well written and accurately describes the fear of the Cubin missile crisis. ...more
Shawn
Dec 27, 2010 rated it really liked it
Book One of a Sixties trilogy, this is a documentary novel. They text is interspersed with an intriguing array of graphics, photos, slogans, and news stories from the era and the story follows 11-year-old Franny as she negotiates school, family, and the threat of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Gr. 5-7.
Ashley
Dec 12, 2010 rated it really liked it
The most amazing thing about this book is that it takes you back in time with such authenticity that you feel like its 1962 while reading it. I LOVED how they scattered pictures, quotes, and little biographies from that time period.
I highly recommend reading it!
Jessica
Sep 29, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Beautifully assembled scrapbook and depiction of what life might have been like in the early 60's during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Superbly done. ...more
Becky Barrier Nelson
Jul 12, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Laura
Jul 14, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Shelves: j-fiction
Karyn The Pirate
Aug 19, 2010 marked it as to-read
Lisa Nocita
Oct 04, 2010 rated it liked it
Morgan
Sep 24, 2016 rated it really liked it
Emily
Nov 06, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Shelves: kid-lit
Amanda
Nov 24, 2010 rated it liked it
Shelves: mock-newbery
Jodi
Nov 28, 2010 marked it as to-read
Shelves: young-adult
Jayanne
Dec 15, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Brandy
Jan 11, 2011 marked it as to-read
Laurie
Feb 09, 2011 rated it liked it
Kristen
Sep 28, 2011 rated it really liked it
Crystal
Oct 14, 2011 rated it really liked it
Sheila
Oct 21, 2011 marked it as to-read
Morgan
Jan 15, 2012 rated it really liked it
Brandi
Feb 24, 2012 rated it really liked it
Mary
Jun 29, 2012 rated it it was amazing
Lou Hunley
Dec 13, 2012 rated it liked it