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| Countdown - mystery book review |
Deborah Wiles
Scholastic Press
2010
Available: Hardcopy, paperback, audio book
The year is 1962 and 12-year-old Franny
Chapman lives in suburban Maryland just outside Andrews Air Force Base where
her father is stationed in the Air Force. Everything in her world has turned
topsy-turvy. President Kennedy announces Russian missiles are in Cuba and aimed
at the East Coast. Suddenly it seems that America is on the brink of nuclear
war. At school they have air-raid drills to practice how to “duck and cover” in
case of a bomb blast. Everyone is afraid that this moment
might be their last, including Frannie. On top of all this, fifth grade is
turning into a nightmare. Her once best friend has traded her in for a new best
friend. Her shell-shocked great uncle is constantly embarrassing her and all
she seems to do is fight with her little brother. Plus she suspects her older
sister is involved in something secret, maybe bad, and then she disappears.
Frannie frantically tries to sort it all out, asking herself, "What would
Nancy Drew do?"
Each chapter begins with several
historical quotes from the 1960s, a turbulent time in America's history. At
first some kids might want to skip over them and just read Frannie's compelling
story. But once they've been hooked by Frannie's world, the quotes become more
than just a history lesson. And seeing this slice of recent history from a
fifth grader's perspective is refreshing.
Target audience:5-8
Mystery/suspense: compelling
Kid appeal: that's a positive
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