Armstrong (Spirit of Endurance, 2000, etc.) gives the "Dear Mr. President" series a sturdy kickoff with this fictional correspondence between Teddy Roosevelt and a Polish teenager working in the Pennsylvania coal mines. Thirteen-year-old Frank Kovacs is moved to write by McKinley's assassination: "I have advice for you and that is don't let no crazy men near you. They is almost always trouble." Roosevelt's friendly response ("I shall indeed strive to keep clear of lunatics and assassins.") touches off a 16-month exchange in which, as both share carefully researched details about their daily lives, family members, pets, and concerns, Frank raises Teddy's consciousness about the miners' dreadful living and working conditions before, during, and after the strike of 1902. The opening and closing historical essays, bibliography, index, plenitude of contemporary photos and cartoons, plus an associated Web site replete with multimedia articles and links, the correspondents' distinct voices and personalities make this as much a well-told story as a vehicle for conveying historical information. Despite a few bobbles—Frank refers to "scabs" without explaining what they are, and a strike that miners unanimously vote to prolong on one page is suddenly settled on the next—this will score with readers for its clear sense of the time's character and issues, as well as the artful but not labored way the two households are compared and contrasted. (Historical fiction. 10-13)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-890817-27-9
Page Count: 128
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2001
A book of the basic teachings of Buddha, presented through a collection of six classic, simple tales. When a monkey takes refuge from a monsoon in a cave, he happens upon a group of bickering animals—a monkey, lion, turtle, jackal, and dove. Before the fighting becomes too fierce, a small statue of Buddha begins to glow in the darkest corner. To pass the time—and to stop the fighting—wise Buddha spins enlightening stories of tolerance, endurance, sagacity, truthfulness, kindness, and clarity. Buddha recounts his past lives in many forms—from monkey to pigeon to willow tree—to his captive listeners. Such straightforward yet profound tales combine with the art and design for an example of bookmaking that is aesthetically pleasing in every way. Color-washed linoprints cleverly distinguish the stories from the black-and-white narrative frame, while an informative afterword offers brief background detail about Buddha and these six “birth stories” known as Jatakas. (Picture book/folklore. 4-7)
Pub Date: April 8, 1999
ISBN: 0-374-33548-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
By 1776 the British army had taken control of two key areas, New York City and Long Island Sound. For Hannah, nine, and her family, the troops are a real threat to their community, just across the sound in Fairfield, Connecticut. Hannah’s older brother Ben wants to go join the forces under General Washington, but his father will have none of it at first; when British warships are sighted he reluctantly gives the boy his blessing. For two days the female members of the household spin, weave, and sew suitable clothing; Hannah, who has never been good at domestic duties, is afraid she won’t be able to do her part, but masters her chores. Van Leeuwen makes this story—the first in the Pioneer Daughters trilogy—compelling through the picture of daily life during the era: Everyone does everything that needed to be done, whether they wanted to or not. It’s clear that Hannah has plans beyond the household; her saving of a baby lamb, and the influence of her Granny Hannah, who was a midwife and nurse, indicate that someday she will move on, but meanwhile, there is work to be done for the family’s survival. Her story—especially the details that are usually relegated to sidebars and laundry lists in history books—will entertain and inspire anyone who is interested in the past. (b&w illustrations, not seen, map) (Fiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-8037-2335-0
Page Count: 87
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
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