Synopsis
Early in the twentieth century, ten-year-old Ben and his family live in the poorest part of their city with other Jewish immigrants. There is never enough money to make ends meet, so Ben, determined to do his part, lands a job delivering hat linings to a hat factory after school. He sets out on his boss’s bicycle feeling strong and free, and has a grand time until, on his way up Hill Street, he gets a harsh comeuppance, one that hurts his body and threatens to destroy his dreams as well.
Based on the experiences of the author’s father and illustrated in Emily Arnold McCully’s signature style, this book celebrates a boy who nearly loses hope, but then learns that the future shines bright and full of second chances.
Publishers Weekly
A family story inspired Cutler's (The Birthday Doll) picture book about the struggles of Jewish immigrants in early-20th-century Canada. After his father dies, Ben's family has trouble making ends meet, even when Mama works extra hours and Ben's older siblings work full-time. Eager to help, Ben lands a job tryout with Mr. Green the hatmaker, delivering hat linings to the factory across town, via bicycle. His first run ends in disaster-sending boy, bike and linings tumbling on a busy thoroughfare, and eliciting the name-calling of the book's title. But Ben's crash ends up being an epiphany. Cutler's text effectively captures its setting and a family's sense of urgency in tough times. Oddly, the author doesn't explain the term "guttersnipe," other than noting that Ben knew it was an "ugly word." McCully's (Mirette on the High Wire) watercolor renderings of period clothing, streetcars and colorful storefronts along cobblestone streets give the book a strong sense of place. And her scenes of the rainbow-hued hat linings taking flight are a perfect match for the story's upbeat ending. Ages 5-8. (May)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.