[LM_NET] ELEM: BOOK: The Boy Who Saved Cleveland by James Cross Giblin

[Toni Buzzeo <tonibuzzeo@TONIBUZZEO.COM>]

The Boy Who Saved Cleveland: Based on a True Story  by James Cross Giblin 
(Holt, 2006). ISBN: 0805073558

What a dearth there is of easily readable, short middle grade historical 
fiction in the transitional novel category--stories with vocabulary that 
goes beyond that of a beginning reader, with a plot and backstory that will 
intrigue a slightly more sophisticated child, albeit one who struggles with 
longer and more complex books.  For this reason, and many others, 
elementary school librarians will want to add The Boy Who Saved Cleveland 
to their collections.  Giblin's considerable historical knowledge and 
research skills shine in this story of 1798 Cleveland when a malaria 
epidemic strikes the small colony of settlers living there and leaves only 
10-year-old Seth standing.  He's forced to care for his own family and all 
of his neighbors and, in particular, to walk two miles a day carrying the 
corn that must be ground into grain if all are to eat and survive the 
plague.  Giblin's penchant for shining a light on an intriguing slice of 
history so that young people can appreciate its significance is brought to 
bear in this slim book of fiction (his first) written in an accessible 
style, with short sentences, friendly vocabulary, attractive pencil 
illustrations, and brief chapters, all of which increase the book's 
appeal.  Furthermore, librarians will want to alert intermediate grades 
teachers who enjoy assigning an historical fiction novel to each of their 
reading groups but often struggle to find one to suit the challenged 
readers.  When this book is available in paperback (and let's hope that it 
is soon), it will be just the ticket.  [Suggested grades 3-5]


Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS <mailto:tonibuzzeo@tonibuzzeo.com>
Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year Emerita
Maine Association of School Libraries Board Member
Buxton, ME 04093
http://www.tonibuzzeo.com
Our Librarian Won't Tell Us ANYTHING! A Mrs. Skorupski Story, illustrated 
by Sachiko Yoshikawa (Upstart 2006) COMING OCTOBER 13!! 

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