John Bloom and the Victory Garden
Written by Leigh Shearin
Art & Design by Katie Shearin
I used to live in a house that still had remnants of a World War I victory garden popping up between the flowers so I was immediately drawn to this book. So glad that I picked it up this historical fiction tale.
Shearin does an amazing job of capturing the spirit of the three main characters and best friends, ten year olds, John, Joe, and Chewie. The story opens in Appleside, NJ, a small town on December 6, 1941. These three boys and their families will suddenly find their lives turned upside down when Pearl Harbor is attacked and their country enters World War II. The author makes the setting authentic by mentioning things like sitting around the old radio and Fireside Chats of FDR, Life magazine, the 5 & 10 Cent store, and popular games like horseshoes and marbles. These boys spring to life with antics like chewing on their collar, secret door knock signals, and pranks like filling grumpy, Mr. Hutchins’ outhouse with snow. Some things never change; there are the typical classroom hijinks and even incidents of bullying.
When the war breaks out, the boys decide to form a club in an effort to help the war effort. They call it the ABC Club. Recognizing the injustice of rounding up Japanese, German and Italian nationals, they fear the loss of friends in their community. A grumpy neighbor morphs into a new friend when their kindness toward him leads to an unexpected change of circumstances and a new avenue of patriotism.
Middle grade students will empathize with these boys and the difficulties they encounter in adjusting to frightening circumstances. Recommended for children ages nine and older. This is a well-written book with developed characters and plot and is a compelling read for adults as well. Next year’s sequel will continue the story as the course of the war unfolds.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS Feed button in the right hand corner of this page.
4 responses to “STEPPING UP – John Bloom and the Victory Garden Book Blitz”
Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
December 10th, 2014 at 15:36
I can’t wait to read this one – it’s loaded up on my e-reader ready to go! So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking part in the blitz Barbara. 🙂
LikeLike
bamauthor
December 10th, 2014 at 18:44
What I really enjoyed as an adult reader is the fact that the author took time to carefully research and get all the details exactly right.
LikeLike
mommynificent
December 18th, 2014 at 14:31
This book looks like a great addition to our study of WW2 later this year! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
LikeLike
bamauthor
December 18th, 2014 at 18:31
One of the best that I have seen on the subject.
LikeLike
1 Trackbacks / Pingbacks
Book Review Blitz Wrap-Up: John Bloom and the Victory Garden by Leigh Shearin | Mother Daughter Book Reviews January 13th, 2015 at 04:50
[…] Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog: “Middle grade students will empathize with these boys and the difficulties they encounter in adjusting to frightening circumstances. Recommended for children ages nine and older. This is a well-written book with developed characters and plot and is a compelling read for adults as well.” […]
LikeLike