Ellie is certain that no teacher can satisfactorily replace her beloved Ms. Simpson; still, as the last eight weeks of fifth grade pass, she comes to appreciate Mr. Garrett, who has been called out of retirement to substitute. At first, Mr. Garrett seems cold and strict; but as he helps the class come to terms with the death of their class pet, sensitively handles a boy's pants-wetting during a standardized test, and gives the class new responsibilities commensurate with their ``almost sixth grade'' status, the children's feelings change from dislike to respect, and finally to love. Characterization in this first novel is deft; similarities between Ellie's older brother's teasing, which she considers immature, and her own cruel joke of giving a cat-food sandwich to the class glutton are evident to the reader, though Ellie herself is unaware of the parallel. (And it's easy to imagine both children growing into the sort of wit that's displayed by their father.) Each student is distinct and consistent; the action is believable and satisfying. A strong debut. (Fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1991
ISBN: 0-395-58195-8
Page Count: 131
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1991
The subtitle here is misleading: though they all took unusual risks, these six women were not merely daredevils. Their motives for their extraordinary exploits included trying to make enough money to survive (Annie Edson Taylor published a book about going over Niagara Falls in a barrel); furthering a scientific career (Delia Ackley led a safari to collect specimens for the Brooklyn Museum; mountaineer Annie Smith Peck was one of the first women to be a college professor; and diver Eugenie Clark now teaches at the University of Maryland); and providing a courageous example (Bessie Coleman was the first licensed black pilot; Thecla Mitchell was a disabled participant in the 1990 New York Marathon). In taut narratives centering on a few dramatic events, Rappaport focuses on her subjects' problem solving, pluck, and perseverance rather than on their lifelong accomplishments, though she does provide enough biographical background to set each in context. Her text is lively with direct quotes, garnered, she explains in excellent notes, from interviews and the subjects' own writings. A few muddy b&w photos are included; especially for the more recent figures, it's too bad that photos giving a better sense of these strong characters weren't found. List of 26 women adventurers. Bracing and inspirational. (Nonfiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 30, 1991
ISBN: 0-06-025108-5
Page Count: 117
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1991
Based on a journal and an unpublished manuscript, a brief, surprisingly lifeless account of the boyhood of one of Indianapolis's first settlers. Among other activities, Elijah Fletcher leaves home to attend a new school as a boarder; rescues his brother, who has inadvertently stowed away on a paddlewheel boat; and goes to the Marion County Fair. Unfortunately, the text jumps from one episode to another, each so sketchily narrated that it's hard to develop either much interest in Elijah or much understanding of what his life was really like. Henry does provide information like the name of the man who had the first brick house in Indianapolis—a person who doesn't figure otherwise here and, like the book, isn't likely to interest most young readers. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: March 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-02-743671-3
Page Count: 39
Publisher: Four Winds/MacMillan
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1992
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