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This
is a historical novel set in 1925. The main character is Ida Binson,
a 14-year-old girl living on a farm in rural Elk Grove, Colo. Her
family consists of Father, Mother, her 7-year-old brother, Felix,
and baby Shelby.
Ida
and Felix attend a one-room schoolhouse with six other students. Ida
is in her last year at the country school and hopes to be able to
attend the high school in town so that she can study to be a
teacher.
They
live 5 miles, one way, from the school, so their father lets Ida
drive the family’s Model T Ford. Ida is 4-foot-11 and unable to
reach the floor or the pedals, so she kneels on the seat to shift
and steer while Felix, sitting on the floor of the car, works the
gas pedal, clutch and brake with his hands.
As
the story begins, the children arrive at school one day to find out
that their teacher, Miss Fletcher, has been called home to Iowa to
take care of her ailing mother. Mr. Jordon, the head of the local
school board, tells the children that it is too late in the year to
hire another teacher, so he is closing the school until next year.
The children will not be able to take the competency tests, so they
will all have to repeat the same grade next year.
Ida
and her best friend, Tom, are especially upset because they will not
be able to go to high school for another year. Mr. Jordon is not
the least sympathetic to Ida’s distress because he doesn’t see
the need for a girl to go to high school anyway.
Tom
suggests that Ida become their teacher but that it would have to be
kept a secret from the school board. Ida thinks about it overnight
and discusses it with her parents. She agrees to do it on the
condition that all of the children go along with the idea. The
children take a vote and the secret school is born.
[to top of second column in
this review]
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Becoming
the teacher is, at the same time, exciting and fearful for Ida. She
conducts the classroom the same as Miss Fletcher did, and the
children do well and accept her as their teacher.
Then,
due to an unfortunate confrontation Ida has with one of the parents,
Mr. Jordon finds out that she has been teaching, shows up at the
school and sends the children home. Ida is sure now that she will
never get to go to high school or become a teacher.
One
of the boys finds out about a secret school board meeting, and Tom
prints flyers to let the parents know about it. To the surprise of
the superintendent, all of the children’s parents come to the
meeting, and Ida presents her case for keeping the school open. The
outcome of the meeting leaves Ida facing an even bigger challenge
than before.
This
book is recommended for ages 8 to 12 years old. It gives a glimpse
into the past of one-room education that is truly fascinating. It is
a very enjoyable story of children taking control of a bad
situation.
AVI
has written many acclaimed books for children, including two Newbery
Honor books, "Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel"
and the "True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle."
For
more information, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217)
732-8878.
[Linda
Harmon, Lincoln Public Library District]
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"To
reach out to the community and beyond, Classic Film Night will be
included in the Illinois Arts Council’s statewide campaign to
promote Illinois Arts Week," said Marshall Jacobs, president of
the local association.
"The
Illinois Arts Week theme ‘the arts are all around us’ captures
the important message that the arts are present every day, in some
way, in our lives. Arts Week helps to focus our attention on all the
arts activities and programs that surround us in our
communities," said Illinois Arts Council Chairman Shirley
Madigan.
Classic
Film Night will feature "Casablanca," courtesy of George
Kerasotes Corporation. The movie will be shown in its entirety on
the big screen, without commercial interruption. Admission is $5 per
adult, $4 for seniors and $2.50 for children.
"Logan
County Arts Association is pleased to be able to join the Illinois
Arts Council to be part of this statewide initiative. We hope that
the entire community and surrounding area will take the opportunity
to attend Classic Film Night and join the exciting statewide
celebration, " said Jacobs.
[News release]
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"Music,
Magic, and More" by Mr. Tone, a professional clown, is geared
to children's activities and set for Sept. 29. Classic Movie Night
featuring "Casablanca" will open on Oct. 11. An afternoon
performance of classical Spanish guitar by Spanish-trained Chris
Culleton is scheduled for Dec. 16.
"What
we don’t have," says Marshall Jacobs, director of the
association, "is an identifying logo that graphically shows who
we are! Here's where we hope you can be of help and have fun in the
process."
The
association is sponsoring a contest in Logan County schools for a
logo the arts group can adopt. Jacobs says this challenge can be an
exciting art project for students in middle school and high school.
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The
winner will be publicly recognized and receive a cash award and a
free membership to the association’s first-year activities.
Entries
should be sent to:
Logan
County Arts Association
303
S. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln,
IL 62656
Entries
should be postmarked no later than Oct. 10 to be considered in the
judging. For more information, please contact Jean Gossett, (217)
732-7542.
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