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Today, if you want to read a book, you simply go to your
school or community library. That wasn’t always the case, as you’ll see
in “That Book Woman,” by Heather Henson.
Cal and his family reside in the remote mountains of
Appalachia. His parents have a pack of kids, and are poor as church
mice. Reading isn’t important to Cal, and he doesn’t understand why his
sister Lark always has her nose in a book.
One day a strange lady rides up to their door on
horseback and unloads a saddlebag of books. The family thinks they have
to pay for them, but the book lady says she’ll be dropping books off and
returning in two weeks to pick them up, then lend the family another
batch. This seems fishy to Cal—but sure enough the woman keeps coming,
in snow, sleet and rain, carrying her precious cargo, a load the boy
comes to appreciate.
Author Henson based her folksy, touching book on the Pack
Horse Library Project founded in the 1930s by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt. With watercolor illustrations by David Small, “That Book
Woman,” is sure to be a favorite. |
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Some people are jacks of all trades but masters of none—not
Benjamin Franklin; he was a master at all trades. “Now and Ben, the Modern
Inventions of Benjamin Franklin,” by Gene Barretta, offers a humorous, but true
tale of a hero considered by many to be a genius ahead of his time.
Statesman, inventor, writer, scientist, printer,
postmaster, Franklin wore a lot of hats along with his three cornered one.
Hardly a day goes by that we don’t reap the benefits of
the legacy Ben left us. Our freedom, for one—Franklin along with some other
really smart guys, helped pen the Declaration of Independence. You can thank
Ben, if he were around, for understanding how electricity works, and for the
odometer in your car, for lightning rods, bifocals, newspapers with
illustrations and other useful inventions.
One wonders what Ben did in his free time—probably sat
around examining the second hand of his watch—something else he is credited with
inventing. |
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To boost people’s spirits following World War II,
President Harry Truman instituted the Freedom Train. The train carried famous
documents, including the Declaration of Independence, and visited 300 integrated
towns in 48 states.
Author Evelyn Coleman uses the patriotic cross-country
trip as a vehicle to tell “The Freedom Train,” a book about two Southern boys
whose friendship defies odds.
Clyde Thomason is a nice kid, but he’s lonely. His mom
works long hours at the mill, and his dad is upset because his job’s been cut to
part time. Neither of his parents take notice of Clyde. But they’re pride-filled
about their oldest son Joseph, a Marine assigned to guard the Freedom Train.
Now Clyde has an opportunity to be a hero. The train is
coming to Cabbagetown and he’s asked to recite the Freedom Pledge, but the boy
has stage fright. The town bully isn’t helping matters. He and his gang attack
Clyde. Fortunately, William, an African-American boy, comes to his rescue. Soon,
Clyde’s courage is really tested when William’s family comes under fire. Will
Clyde stand up and defend them?
This novel for young readers is a flag-waving winner from
beginning to end. |
