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Jimmy's Stars (2008)

by Mary Ann Rodman(Favorite Author)

3.74 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0374337039 (ISBN13: 9780374337032)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

review 1: This stateside historical fiction (set in Pittsburgh) of life during WWII was relatively realistic. The characters seemed real, from Ellie's love for, and faith in, her brother Jimmy to her "nemesis" Victoria's reactions to her letters from Jimmy, to Sal's desire to grow up, to the neighbors and teachers. Equally real was the sense of a time in which things were unsure, and in which people had to Make Sacrifices (roller skates, for example, or eating "ground meat" of unknown origin).What felt less real was the seeming need that the author had to put in almost every kind of experience - Buddy's homecoming and resulting "illness", Toot's moving in, the kindhearted 4-F, etc.. It did help make the world slightly more real, but it also felt forced, as though the goal was to ... moreshow a snipped of everything that happened back then in a mere 250 pages.
review 2: Set during WWII, this book is one of my favorites so far this year. It's a look at the homefront through the eyes of a young girl whose brother has just been drafted, but who promises to be home by Christmas. It's the only thing that keeps Ellie's spirits up. Not only is Jimmy her best friend, but he calls her "Movie Star" and tells her she is beautiful, the only one who thinks so.Rodman has created a real sense of time and place with this book, and as much as I loved her first book, "Yankee Girl", this one is even better! less

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