Cold War on Maplewood Street

Title: Cold War on Maplewood Street

 

Author: Gayle Rosengren

 

Summary: Joanna is growing up in 1962, and she feels that a lot of things are not fair for her. Her brother Sam joined up with the military and is now out on a ship somewhere far away -  a ship heading to Cuba. Joanna fears for her cherished, only brother's safety, and feels guilty about not writing him as part of a "promise" that she made in the heat of anger when Sam left.

As well as her fears for her older brother's safety, Joanna also begins to worry about smaller things, like her strange neighbor, staying home alone, the boy-girl party coming up on Saturday night at the popular girl's house, and other middle school worries. As her world seems to turn upside down during the Cuban missile crisis, Joanna must stay strong, for her mother, and most of all, her brother Sam.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It is based off of the author, Ms. Rosengren's personal childhood experiences, which I find to be quite interesting.

Joanna is realistic and relatable on many levels - she is a character that can be put into any time period and still work. Her worries and insecurities are all very typical for a girl of her age, and that is part of what makes her likeable.  

The story is short and powerful, yet not the sort of powerful that makes the reader cry or anything. The book carries just the right amount of power for a reader, and I think that the book could be suitable for 8+, but most likely best understood by those 10+.

Joanna and Sam's relationship is very sweet, even if it does have its ups-and-downs, and I always enjoy seeing positive sibling relationships in literature.

 

Rating: 5 stars