In 1915, three years after the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage, the Lusitania was preparing for her 101st eastward crossing of the Atlantic. “Big Lusy” was famous for its first-class accommodations—salons, staterooms, and suites modeled upon the palaces of Europe. But war was on in Europe, and there had been threats on the safety of the great ship. Preston trims her longer work for adults and here focuses on three children—Avis Dolphin, Frank Hook, and Audrey Pearl. Carefully chosen details about the Lusitania and the parallel story of the German submarine stalking the ship make for a well-constructed, lively account, though she does gloss over the fact that the Lusitania was, indeed, carrying ammunition. A torpedo struck, sending the great ship to the bottom of the ocean in 18 minutes, drowning 1198 passengers and crewmembers. The epilogue makes a connection with the attacks of 9/11. The dramatic cover will entice readers, and the exciting narrative will keep them riveted. (appendix, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: May 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-8027-8846-7
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Walker
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2003
The whimsy is slight—the story is not—and both its interest and its vocabulary are for the youngest members of this age...
Beverly Cleary has written all kinds of books (the most successful ones about the irrepressible Henry Huggins) but this is her first fantasy.
Actually it's plain clothes fantasy grounded in the everyday—except for the original conceit of a mouse who can talk and ride a motorcycle. A toy motorcycle, which belongs to Keith, a youngster, who comes to the hotel where Ralph lives with his family; Ralph and Keith become friends, Keith gives him a peanut butter sandwich, but finally Ralph loses the motorcycle—it goes out with the dirty linen. Both feel dreadfully; it was their favorite toy; but after Keith gets sick, and Ralph manages to find an aspirin for him in a nearby room, and the motorcycle is returned, it is left with Ralph....
The whimsy is slight—the story is not—and both its interest and its vocabulary are for the youngest members of this age group. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 22, 1965
ISBN: 0380709244
Page Count: 180
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 16, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1965
A pleasing new picture book looks at George Washington’s career through an agricultural lens. Sprinkling excerpts from his letters and diaries throughout to allow its subject to speak in his own voice, the narrative makes a convincing case for Washington’s place as the nation’s First Farmer. His innovations, in addition to applying the scientific method to compost, include a combination plow-tiller-harrow, the popularization of the mule and a two-level barn that put horses to work at threshing grain in any weather. Thomas integrates Washington’s military and political adventures into her account, making clear that it was his frustration as a farmer that caused him to join the revolutionary cause. Lane’s oil illustrations, while sometimes stiff, appropriately portray a man who was happiest when working the land. Backmatter includes a timeline, author’s notes on both Mount Vernon and Washington the slaveholder, resources for further exploration and a bibliography. (Picture book/biography. 8-12)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59078-460-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2008
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