Historical Fiction

THE COOKCAMP By Gary Paulsen

"Making a road up into Canada.  Something to do with the war.  We're too old to be soldiers, but we can build roads.  In case the Germans [he said "Chermans"] come over here.  We might have to move north.  In a hurry."

Paulsen, Gary. 1991. The Cookcamp. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN: 0-531-05927-8

This story is about a lonely, little boy.  His dad is fighting in the war (World War II), his mom is working in a factory, and “Uncle Casey” has been spending a lot of time in his house.  His mom decides to send him to live with his grandmother.  His grandmother is a cook for a group of men building a road through the woods of Minnesota.  The little boy soon falls deeply in love with his grandmother, the men in the crew and their machines.  It is a great experience but he really needs his mother.  He breaks down and tells his Grandmother about “Uncle Casey.” Grandmother writes a few letters to the boy’s mother and shortly after, the little boy is on his way home. The plot of this book is short, sweet, and simple.  The setting, time, and place are vividly described just as a five year old would experience them.  It only takes a few minutes to fall deeply in love with the main character.  His world is full of wonder, excitement, and emotional longing.  The history of the time seeps slowly and covertly into the story.  World War II has shaken up this young boy’s world but he never talks directly about the war.  He just knows his dad is gone, his mom is working and meeting men (Uncle Casey), and he is living with a group of guys too old to fight.  Readers will be left wanting more.

What the Critics Have to Say... In its simplicity of story line but depth of imagery and emotion, Paulsen's latest work is very much like MacLachlan's Sarah , Plain and Tall - School Library Journal Those hungry for adventure stories, as well as more introspective readers, will be spellbound by this stirring novel, which is every bit the equal of The Winter Room and Paulsen's other works -Publisher's Weekly

THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM --1963 By Christopher Paul Curtis

Newbery Honor Winner Coretta Scott King Honor Winner ALA Notable Book Publishers Weekly Best Book New York Times Book Review Best Book

We listened to a couple of jive songs and then I said, "Dad, does Bryron really have to go to Alabama? Couldn't we just drive down to about Ohio and pretend we're going to leave him to scare him?"

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1995. The Watsons Go To Birmingham -- 1963. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN: 0-385-32175-9

Welcome to the Watson’s world.  It is 1963 and very cold in Flint, Michigan.  The Watson clan is gathered around the family car because 13-year-old Bryon has gotten his lips stuck to the car mirror.  Yep, he is now the “Lipless Wonder.”  Byron’s brother, Kenny, is the narrator and he comically depicts the intimate details of a year in his family’s life.  Brother Bryon quickly turns into a juvenile delinquent.  Mom and Dad Watson decide to take a trip down to Alabama so Grandma Sands can whip Byron back into shape.  The road trip down south unveils the bitter reality of racism and the family witnesses one of the most horrific events in Alabama history. You will love this book.  The language is simple, realistic, and FUNNY.  Everyone will easily relate to the sibling rivalry between Kenny and Byron and will understand the depths of Kenny’s confusion and despair at the end of this tale.  The environments of the north and south are vividly described and the plot flows quickly. The Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church bombing is covered with accurate detail and not sugar coated.  Historical details are thrown in here and there and kids will greedily absorb them without realizing it.  This book is remarkable.  It will make you laugh, cry and shout for joy.   Buy lots of batteries for your flashlight because you will be reading this one way past your bedtime!

What the Critics Have to Say... An exceptional first novel - Publishers Weekly Warmly memorable evocation of an African American family - The Horn Book {This} is a marvelous debut, a fine novel about a solid and appealing family. -The New York Times Ribald humor, sly sibling digs, and a totally believable child's view of the world will make this book an instant hit - School Library Journal

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