A richly textured novel that will help young readers understand a defining moment in history and the impacts the political has on the personal.
Four starred reviews for this groundbreaking novel that brings the Cuban Missile Crisis to life through eleven-year-old Franny’s eyes. As the world holds its breath, she’s just trying to survive middle school drama, family tensions, and the very real threat of nuclear war.
$11.99
Four starred reviews greeted this groundbreaking novel from Deborah Wiles—and for good reason. Countdown captures one of the most terrifying moments in American history through the eyes of an unforgettable eleven-year-old girl just trying to hold her world together.
It’s 1962, and Franny Chapman’s life is unraveling. Her best friend won’t speak to her. Her sister has vanished. Her uncle is haunted by memories of war. And now President Kennedy is on television warning the nation about Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba. Everyone is holding their breath, waiting for the world to end.
What makes this novel remarkable is how Wiles weaves together the intimate and the epic—the personal dramas of middle school friendships and family tensions against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Franny’s voice rings absolutely true: anxious, funny, resilient, and achingly real. She doesn’t understand everything happening around her, but she’s determined to survive it all, whether it’s the boy across the street who makes her heart flutter or the very real possibility of nuclear war.
This isn’t just historical fiction—it’s a story about fear, courage, and what it means to keep going when everything feels uncertain. Perfect for readers who loved The War That Saved My Life or Number the Stars, Countdown brings a pivotal moment in history to vivid, unforgettable life. The kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the final page.
A richly textured novel that will help young readers understand a defining moment in history and the impacts the political has on the personal.
Wiles' ambitious novel is a fascinating look at a tumultuous time.
Wiles skillfully keeps many balls in the air as she weaves together Franny's personal dramas with the larger historical events.
An ambitious novel that blends the personal and the political into a powerful narrative.
Wiles' ambitious and inventive novel...deftly uses an eleven-year-old girl's viewpoint to explore the impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis on everyday Americans.
Wiles has created a richly textured work.
| Weight | 0.69 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.50 × 1.00 × 7.75 in |
| Fiction Type | |
| Book Author | |
| Subject | 20th Century, Family, Historical, Juvenile Fiction, People & Places, Siblings, United States |
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