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"Was it just today that Margie and I had that terrible fight, that I threw up in Mr. Mitchell's office, that Uncle Otts came home from the hospital, that Gale invited me to her party? All on the same day I found out that I might not live long enough to wake up in the morning? I'd better wrap up everything while I have a chance."
Franny Chapman is eleven years old, and lives outside of Andrews Air Force Base with her parents, uncle, older sister and younger brother. The daughter of an Air Force ma ...more
Franny Chapman is eleven years old, and lives outside of Andrews Air Force Base with her parents, uncle, older sister and younger brother. The daughter of an Air Force ma ...more
I really wanted to like this book, but it took me awhile to get into it. Interestingly enough, I was the same age as Drew-- in third grade in the fall of 1962. My experience was much different; we barely knew anything was happening in South Bend, IN, vs. the Washington, D.C. setting of the book. I vaguely remember a duck and cover drill. Our third graders weren't nearly as traumatized as Drew, Franny, and family.
I thought the pictures, etc. added a lot to the book; without them, I think today's ...more
I thought the pictures, etc. added a lot to the book; without them, I think today's ...more
This is a good choice for kids writing historical book reports. Primary documents are seamlessly (and artfully) woven into the narrative, making it easier for readers to understand the panic of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Wiles balances out the seriousness of the CMC by making the lead character's everyday adolescent problems (distracted parents, senile grandfather, bad-behaving big sister, and of course, boys) a big part of the story as well. While I was not shocked it did not receive a Newbery,
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I really liked this book . . . I liked learning about the cold war and the civil rights movement along with a good story of friendship
I thought this was "distinguished," well written and accurately describes the fear of the Cubin missile crisis.
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Wonderful historical fiction full of awesome documents, quotes, culture, etc from the era. A real Newbery contender I think.
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.
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!
I highly recommend reading it!
Beautifully assembled scrapbook and depiction of what life might have been like in the early 60's during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Superbly done.
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Oct 08, 2010
Michelle
marked it as to-read
Jan 11, 2011
Brandy
marked it as to-read
Oct 21, 2011
Sheila
marked it as to-read
Feb 11, 2012
Donna
marked it as to-read
Mar 27, 2012
Carol Coutts
marked it as to-read
