|
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]
|
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]
|
|
The
band, which got its name from Warren’s "(Home in) Pasadena,"
had the style and appearance of the 1920s lounge
bands, from their suit-and-tie apparel to their music stands with
the PRO logo on the front. They delighted the audience with old-time
favorites such as "Jeepers Creepers," "My Melancholy
Baby" and "Forty-Second Street."
Each
band member got his turn in the spotlight. Pianist Simon Townley
"tickled the ivories" in "Kitten on the Keys";
Andy Kuc, the baby of the group, shone on the rhythm guitar in
"Play that Hot Guitar"; and Dan Hammerton stole the show
with his dynamic trumpet solos in almost every song.
Lead
vocalist James Langton had amazing stage presence. His white tie and
tails complemented his loose and interactive style. When he wasn’t
caressing the microphone with his smooth voice, he was dancing
around the stage and mingling with the band members. There was only
one time when he seemed to lose touch with his audience.
"Sugarfoot
Stomp" contained around seven minutes of instrumental solos.
The lack of vocals was almost too long. The band was saved, however,
when they did their "rousing conclusion" two songs later.
"Minnie the Moocher" by Calloway and Mills brought the
audience to life with its wailing trumpet and echoed scat. Blues
Brothers fans kept up nicely with the energizing refrain.
[Gina
Sennett]
The
Pasadena Roof Orchestra members are:
James
Langton — orchestra leader, vocalist
David
Ford — trumpet
Dan
Hammerton — trumpet
Steve
Shaw — trombone and vocal trio
Nick
Payton — alto and baritone sax, clarinet
Paul
Jones — alto sax and clarinet
James
Scannell — alto sax and clarinet
Simon
Townley — piano and vocal trio
Andy
Kuc — guitar and banjo
John
Sutton — drums
Dave
Berry — bass and sousaphone
Thorsten
Merriott — sound engineer
To
learn more about the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, visit http://www.pasadena.co.uk/.
|
|
