"I have a little sinking spell, right there behind the Ramseys' honeysuckle bush. What's worse: your best friend doesn't feel like your best friend anymore, or the whole neighborhood thinks your family is an embarassment?
Or maybe it's worse that you wouldn't acknowledge your uncle, Franny.
Maybe I'll just stay here, hidden behind this bush, forever."
I loved this documentary novel, set in 1962. Franny Chapman's story is filled with photographs, newspaper headlines, quotations from a myriad of powerful figures, song lyrics, notices, slogans and jingles. I was 14 and so much of what is shared here brought back memories long forgotten. It isn't just about that particular time and place...it also takes us back with Uncle Ott's war stories and forward to John Kennedy and the Civil Rights movement with Franny as she tries to balance home, school and world events. I didn't have to read a page before knowing I was hooked and ready to get to the informative and captivating text. I pored over the historical images with great interest before moving headlong into meeting Franny and her family and friends.
Franny is 11, concerned about the state of the world and what the future holds for her. Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, even the 'duck and cover' drills they must practice at school are cause for worry. Uncle Otts' weird behavior brings the effects of war and aging into her own realm of reality. Her anxiety causes insomnia and a wonder about the state of world peace. Her letter to Kruschev shows just how scared she really is about what is happening around her.
Life in fifth grade is tough...boys, parties, changing relationships and keeping up with everything at home and school. Her sister doesn't have time for her; she is busy with her own agenda. Where will it end? What can she do? How does she impact the world's happenings? Can she?
I love Franny.., her voice is strong and knowing. She does well, despite her many concerns and shows herself to be brave and strong.
Her sister's advice helps: “There are always scary things happening in the world. There are always wonderful things happening. And it’s up to you to decide how you’re going to approach the world . . . how you’re going to live in it, and what you’re going to do.”
We are in charge of our responses to what life offers up!
And Franny...she is a young woman I would love to meet again. I wonder if the second story in this planned trilogy about the sixties will continue her story? I can't wait to find out!
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