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Overview
In 1958, 12-year-old Mendy Thompson discovers nighttime intruders in her secret forest clearing in Monteagle, Tennessee. They're members of the KKK and are plotting to bomb Highlander School during a speech by Mendy's hero, Eleanor Roosevelt. With no one to turn to, Mendy must find a way to stop the KKK herself.In 1958, Mendy puts herself in danger when she discovers that the Ku Klux Klan is planning to bomb the Highlander Folk School in order to disrupt a visit from Mendy's hero, Eleanor Roosevelt.
Editorials
Children's Literature
This latest installment to the "American Girl" series of "History Mysteries" will captivate readers. This is the compelling story of two young friends, Mendy and Jeffrey. They are having difficulty maintaining their long-time friendship in a southern town in Tennessee during 1958. Mendy Thompson is a young black girl. She has discovered that a group of men have been meeting in her secret hideaway in the woods near her home. One evening she hears their voices plotting and planning to take part in an awful scheme of hatred and violence. Jeffrey has been Mendy's best friend since they were toddlers. Jeffrey is white and his parents think it does not look good for him to be friends with Mendy. They have forbidden Jeffrey to see her. The two friends work through thoughts of betrayal and together, they thwart the plan of evil plotted by the men in the woods. Readers will love the realistic characters and will be riveted by the mystery and events of this dark past in America's history. Mendy and Jeffrey together prove that good always overcomes evil. A great message anytime. 2001, Pleasant Company, $9.95 and $5.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer:Sue ReichardVOYA
Twelve-year-old Mendy Thompson, growing up in Tennessee during the 1950s, must thwart the Ku Klux Klan's plot to kill her heroine, Eleanor Roosevelt. This sheltered African American main character has never heard of the Klan, seen its Circle of Fire, nor understood the taboo of interracial dating. She and her best friend, Jeffrey, who is white, confront prejudice and track the Klan members with help from Jeffrey's father, an FBI informant. Similar to Scholastic's Dear America series but without the journal format, the American Girl History Mysteries focus on historical events and anecdotal details. A full-color sketch of the world of the main character introduces each story. A nonfiction account explains the story's context. Providing inspiring content, idealistic themes, interesting plots, and happy endings, these books will be popular with middle school age girls and their parents. Illus. VOYA CODES:3Q 2P M (Readable without serious defects;For the YA with a special interest in the subject;Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2001, American Girl/Pleasant Company, 150p, $5.95 Trade pb. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer:Lucy Schall—VOYA, December 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 5)Book Details
Published
August 1, 2001
Publisher
American Girl
Pages
160
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781584853398