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Cold War on Maplewood Street: 03/11/18
Cold War on Maplewood Street by Gayle Rosengren is set during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Joanna is upset that her brother has gone away to war, thus breaking a promise to not leave like their father has. Mind you, Dad walked out on the family, while the brother is serving his country. But hey, she's young and stubborn. Like so many tween books, the entire plot is driven on an artificially raised emotional tension. The external event doesn't have to be Cuba, it could be anything, because it's already decided that the protagonist needs to stay angry and needs to feel sorry for herself until some predetermined time when she can learn her lesson. So then in the background there are the events unfolding in Cuba. Yes, it was a tense time and yes, the author did live through it. But whatever it is that she felt back — her fears aren't conveyed from Joanna's story. Two stars Comments (2) Comment #1: Monday, March 12, 2018 at 15:01:49 Ah that's too bad. If there's something like that I really prefer it to be an actual issue keeping them mad not one like this. Comment #2: Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 22:10:00 Pussreboots Yes. This book could have been in a completely different direction.
1997-2025 Sarah Sammis |
