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Blast to the Past: Betsy Ross's Star
by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon, illustrated by Guy Francis
Reviewed by Julie M. Prince
It's Monday and history club will meet after school as usual. But, nothing's really "usual" with this history club. Abigail
and her three friends are off on another adventure going back in time to stop Babs Magee from taking a place in history
that she hasn't earned.
Babs has already tried to steal the good works and ideas of George Washington and Ben Franklin, among others. Now, she's
trying to take the page from the history book that says Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. The kids need to prove
that it was Betsy Ross, not Babs Magee who performed this important task. But wait, was it Betsy Ross?
Anyone who knows of the controversy surrounding Betsy Ross's place in American history will appreciate the undertaking of
these adventurous authors. This book explores the evidence and shows kids how historians gather information and why it's
important to document history, all with a fun tale that will keep kids intrigued!
Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit
by Jessica Scott Kerrin, illustrated by Joseph Kelly
Reviewed by Jennifer Rothschild, Biblio File
The latest volume in the adventures of Martin Bridge gives the reader another two tales about Martin, a sort of elementary
aged every-boy. In the first, Martin's classmate Harper, is always telling outlandish lies that Martin's friends actually
believe—things like Harper is getting a jet pack bike or that his father is really a spy. Although it is not explored
in the context of the story, Martin's main annoyance with this is that Harper's stories often steal attention away from
Martin. However, we do explore why Harper tells the tales he does. In the end, Harper's story-telling is as very useful
skill to have.
In the second story, Martin gets hurt while trying to emulate his favorite superhero, Zip Rideout. This prompts much
soul-searching as to why comic book heroes and TV characters never get hurt, although they are often involved in situations
where injury is bound to happen. Luckily, the creator of Zip Rideout is coming to school, so Martin can ask him some very
pointed questions.
Kelly's black-and-white graphite and charcoal illustrations break up the text nicely and add to the story—especially
when illustrating how Martin pogo-sticks out of his tree house.
The Rising Star of Rusty Nail
by Lesley M.M. Blume
Reviewed by Alice Herold, Big A little a
The Rising Star of Rusty Nail, by Lesley M.M. Blume, is set in 1953. The main character, ten-year-old Franny, lives with her
parents and two older brotehrs. This book was fun for me to read because I was Franny's age in 1953. Children practiced
"duck and cover" in elementary school in case the "Commies" aimed a nuclear bomb at the Midwest. I remember being
terrified, shaking under my desk. There are references to Roy Rogers, Ava Gardner, and other movie stars which
triggered memories of playing with my paper dolls. There are mentions of candy cigarettes, wax lips, and
Beeman's gum which reminded me of trips to the candy store across from my elementary school. The author has done her
research.
Franny learns that life is filled with coincidences that later seem like fate. She feels like success comes from being in
the right place at the right time. For example, a "commie" moves to Rusty Nail. Her name is Madame Malenkov (Olga).
Later we learn Olga is hiding while posing as a lawyer's wife. Olga's father once owned (and willed to Olga) one
of the finest rare instrument collections in Russia. Her piano, for example, was given to her by the famous pianist,
Arthur Rubenstein. Franny begs Olga to give her piano lessons which she does in return for help around the house. Olga
sees the potential in Franny and arranges for her to have an audition with Madame Svetlana Oblonsky, a teacher at the
Julliard School. Franny was in the right places at the right times!
Readers can learn a great deal about music by reading The Rising Star of Rusty Nail. The book is divided into
three sections: "Moderato" sets the stage; "Adagio," named for a concerto's second movement, for when the tension slowly
builds; and "Allegro," the dramatic culmination. We learn about Rachmaninoff, whose music is dark and tumultuous. The
author offers a detailed explanation of the workings of the inside of a piano and compares it to the inside of a hand.
Olga is pleased Franny has wide hands which are needed to play Rachmaninoff.
I really enjoyed this story. The Rising Star of Rusty Nail is entertaining as well as informative.
Books Reviewed:
Blast to the Past: Betsy Ross's Star, by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon, illustrated by Guy Francis.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2007. ISBN: 1-4169-3388-5.
Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit, by Jessica Scott Kerrin, illustrated by Joseph Kelly. Kids Can Press,
2007. ISBN: 1-5545-3149-3.
The Rising Star of Rusty Nail, by Lesley M.M. Blume. Random House Children's Books, 2007.
ISBN: 0-3758-3524-7.
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