Reviews

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

goodem9199's review against another edition

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4.0

The audio was fantastic. They incorporated the news reports and other era-related material in an amazing way. Can't wait for the next one!

gmamartha's review against another edition

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4.0

"Fictional documentary." Probably will be a school assignment to read. One that truly captures the feeling of the times, as I remember them, anyway.
But not sure the kids will appreciate that.

sorrymyscheduleisbooked's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

gold_star_reader's review against another edition

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informative lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

christiana's review against another edition

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4.0

Have you ever had a kid ask for a historical fiction book about the Cuban Missile Crisis? Then this is the book for you!

Seriously, this book does have some cool stuff. I like that there is so many pages showing the actual ads and pictures from the time period, especially when they say a character looks like Miss America from Missouri and then show Miss America's picture from that year.

There was also a lot of teachable material in here. If I was teaching social studies to 5-6th grade, this book would be an awesome tie-in. I learned about the time period and wasn't even mad that I was reading history, because it was such a good read. That Deborah Wiles, she knows how to write a story.

posies23's review against another edition

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4.0

The BOOK CLUB OF DOOM book for Sept. 2015 is a multi-genre look at the Cuban Missle Crisis through the eyes of a 5th grade girl in 1962.

debbiebarr's review against another edition

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5.0

A fantastic historical fiction set in the sixties during the cuban missle crisis. I especially loved the mixed media, as the book had advertisements, photos, and quotes from the time period mixed in together with the story of Franny. Very well done and an excellent read.

kimlynn77's review against another edition

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4.0

Very interesting book. Takes place during the Cuban Missile Crisis and full of historical pictures, snippits of speeches, and song lyrics.

braddy7's review against another edition

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4.0

Definitely one of the best juvenile books for this time period, making the Cuban Missile Crisis come to life.

julie_ann_harper_1633's review against another edition

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4.0

Terrifying. The unknown. What is going to happen? Is Russia go to bomb us or are we going to bomb them? How can we prepare for a situation like this? And how does it effect the children who are unable to understand the significance of the events. This book teaches the reader about the Cold War but it also shows them a little about what PTSD can do someone and their family.