Nathan McClelland, a farm boy, becomes the only native-born American of his age when his long-time neighbors move elsewhere. It’s 1890 and his neighboring Pennsylvania farmland is being converted to coal mines as the farm houses are pulled down and the wood is used for shoddy buildings to house the immigrant workers. He meets an Italian boy, Arturo, who, with his father and brother, works underground. They become friends of a sort and Nathan sets about to make Arturo a “real American” by trying to impose his culture, food, and habits on the young miner. The author provides a sharp picture of the dangers of mining and the maltreatment of miners as well as a look at anti-foreign prejudice, a sentiment with a contemporary hook. A gang moves to destroy the shacks and the foreigners but Nathan distracts them and the shantytown is saved. But faults hurt the story line: Arturo’s English, despite the use of Italian at home and among the other immigrants, is far too good. The added plot element of Nathan’s father’s lethargic depression because of the death of another son, mars plot development. Those who are prejudiced are all painted as dirty, mean, cruel, ill-mannered, or stupid. Only Nathan, Arturo, and Nathan’s mother are not one-dimensional. Too bad the story is mired in its stylistic faults; it might have carried an important message. (Fiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: April 22, 2002
ISBN: 0-618-13339-9
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2002
It’s not the first time old Ben has paid our times a call, but it’s funny and free-spirited, with an informational load that...
Antics both instructive and embarrassing ensue after a mysterious package left on their doorstep brings a Founding Father into the lives of two modern children.
Summoned somehow by what looks for all the world like an old-time crystal radio set, Ben Franklin turns out to be an amiable sort. He is immediately taken in hand by 7-year-old Olive for a tour of modern wonders—early versions of which many, from electrical appliances in the kitchen to the Illinois town’s public library and fire department, he justly lays claim to inventing. Meanwhile big brother Nolan, 10, tags along, frantic to return him to his own era before either their divorced mom or snoopy classmate Tommy Tuttle sees him. Fleming, author of Ben Franklin’s Almanac (2003) (and also, not uncoincidentally considering the final scene of this outing, Our Eleanor, 2005), mixes history with humor as the great man dispenses aphorisms and reminiscences through diverse misadventures, all of which end well, before vanishing at last. Following a closing, sequel-cueing kicker (see above) she then separates facts from fancies in closing notes, with print and online leads to more of the former. To go with spot illustrations of the evidently all-white cast throughout the narrative, Fearing incorporates change-of-pace sets of sequential panels for Franklin’s biographical and scientific anecdotes. Final illustrations not seen.
It’s not the first time old Ben has paid our times a call, but it’s funny and free-spirited, with an informational load that adds flavor without weight. (Graphic/fantasy hybrid. 9-11)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-101-93406-7
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2017
PLB 0-531-33140-7 Ketcham’s first book is based on an allegedly true story of a childhood incident in the life of Johann Sebastian Bach. It starts with a couple of pages regaling the Bach home and all the Johanns in the family, who made their fame through music. After his father’s death, Johann Sebastian goes to live with his brother, Johann Christoph, where he boasts that he is the best organist in the world. Johann Christoph contradicts him: “Old Adam Reincken is the best.” So Johann Sebastian sets out to hear the master himself. In fact, he is humbled to tears, but there is hope that he will be the world’s best organist one day. Johann Sebastian emerges as little more than a brat, Reincken as more of a suggestion than a character. Bush’s illustrations are most transporting when offering details of the landscape, but his protagonist is too impish to give the story much authority. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30140-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
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