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Summary: "Not Scrapped, Not Useless, Not Forgotten"
Review: "New York City. 1931. Amazing things were happening big and small..." The Empire State Building was built, Babe Ruth hit his 611th home run, the Snickers candy bar was invented, the George Washington Bridge spanning the Hudson River was opened, and "on a sunny fresh day, the John J. Harvey fireboat was launched." "There were 12 fireboats in New York City. The Harvey was the largest, fastest and shiniest fireboat of them all." It traveled up and down the river fighting fires on boats and liners and at the busy piers. Fast forward to 1995. New York no longer needed fireboats, and The Harvey was retired and sat rusting, waiting to be sold for scrap. But then an amazing thing happened. A group of friends decided to buy and save The Harvey. They took her to a shipyard and fixed her up until she was bright and shiny and good as new. "And once again the Harvey was on the water." "But then on September 11, 2001 something so huge and horrible happened that the whole world shook..." The John J. Harvey and her new crew knew they had to help. "The water pipes were broken and buried. And the fire trucks that had raced to the scene could not pump water. The firefighters attached hoses to the Harvey..." The Harvey worked around the clock for four days, until the fires were under control. When it was finally time to go home, the crew had never seen anything so terrible, or felt so proud. "The Harvey was a hero. And everyone knew it." Maira Kalman's marvelous tribute to the John J. Harvey and all the brave people who sprang into action on 9/11 is inspiring, and filled with history, drama, courage, determination, and triumph. Her simple and straightforward text is complemented by her evocative, bold and busy illustrations that bring The Harvey's amazing story to life. Together, word and art paint a vivid and uplifting portrait that is poignant and touching, but won't overwhelm children with frightening and lurid details. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures Of The John J. Harvey is Ms Kalman at her best. This is a book the entire family should read and share together, and is sure open important discussions and dialogue.
Rating: 
Summary: Can't read this without sobbing
Review: A beautiful book about how the tradgedy of 9/11 brought out the best in New Yorkers. Of course we want to shelter our young children from awful events like this, but if they are elementary school age, they will hear about 9/11. Better to discuss it with them in a sensitive way. I have read this to my 6 year old about 5 times. I sob every time. Guess I'm teaching empathy.
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Summary: The Best Book Ever!!
Review: Fireboat is a really good book about recycling. The John J. Harvey was the best fireboat out of 12 other fireboats in New York City. The John J. Harvey fought fires up and down the river. It put out the fire that was huge on another boat, the Normandie. After awhile they did not need 12 fireboats, so the John J. Harvey was sitting in the river for five years, then a group of people saw it and wanted it so they bought it. They had perfessional people fix it up, then they did not use it to put out fires. It was thiers to keep for partys or go out on a ride. Then the fire department needed a fireboat.They needed a lot of fireboats at that time, so they had to use the John J. Harvey to help control this fire. Can you guess what fire it was? Remember it's in New York City. It was the fire that was spread because of the crash of the Twin Towers. Fireboat is a really good book. I can't tell you the whole story, it's so good you better read this book if you like boats or you are interested in what happened in New York City with the Twin Towers!
B.C
Rating:
Summary: Something Old Is Something New.
Review: FIREBOAT tells the story of the John J. Harvey. In it's hey-day, the John J. Harvey was one of the finest fireboats in New York City, patrolling the piers and helping to save lives. However, society changed and the piers were destroyed and New York didn't have much use for many fireboats. Eventually, the boat was retired and was going to be turned into scrap. However, some people were interested in saving the John J. Harvey and bought the old ship. They restored her to pristine condition and she became a proud site for people to look at. No one thought she would ever fight another fire. Then came September 11th, 2001. Fires were raging and many water lines were broken. A call came asking for the John J. Harvey to help and help she did. For four days the little fireboat fought fires along with two newer, larger fireboats. When all was said and done, everyone was thankful for the John J. Harvey. She was given an award and would no longer have to worry about ever being turned into scrap.The illustrations that accompany the text are quite colorful and playful, adding to the story the book tells. Even though the story is mainly about the life of the John J. Harvey, it is also about September 11th. This book is directed towards young children, some who maybe too young to even remember the events of that day. For those that still do, the book deals with the tragedy in a very sensitive way. In time, I can see the book being used widely to help introduce children to something that, though still so close to our hearts and lives, will one day be remembered as a tragic day in history. The book also has some subtle lessons, such as respect for the elderly and how even the most seemingly insignificant things in this world can be worthwhile. Overall, FIREBOAT is a great children's book that deals with some very deep issues in a sensitive way.
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Summary: Inspiring
Review: Fireboat. By Maira Kalman. 2002. 38 pages. $ 16.99 Maira has done it again. She has written an extraordinary book about New York. Fireboat is a book about the tragedy of 9/11. The book focuses more on the Heroes than the tragedy. This book will be a good tool for teachers and parents to use to help explain the event. Fireboat is about a fireboat named Harvey. She starts with the history of the boat back in 1931. She also tells about other events that happened in 1931, "Snickers hit the stores... the word HOT-CHA was invented." Then it moves forward to 1995. Harvey was going to be scrapped, but a group of friends save the boat and restore it. Then there is a gray page that moves to 9/11. The book then illustrates two planes flying toward the twin towers. She then has a vivid illustration of the towers exploding. Maira then does a great job with describing the heroes and the crew of Harvey and then how Harvey had a great part in putting out the fires in New York after the attacks. The book then goes on to tell that Harvey was a hero and that heroes are "not forgotten". This book has great description, vivid and bold illustrations and great context. She does a great job writing a book that is so difficult to talk about. This book can be used with children to grade 4. However, with younger children a parent or teacher should be there to help explain the context since the illustrations are so vivid.
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Summary: THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ ABOUT SEPT. 11TH
Review: I am a Nanny and I am studying to teach and have an extensive kids book collection. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
What a great find and, of course, it would be Maira Kalman that wrote it. An amazing, proud, touching, simple and most importantly, honest story about New York City in it's time of crises. The thing I like most about her is that she talks to kids with such respect. She doesn't dumb down for them or put on another "voice".
As far as previous negative reviews, I ALWAYS read a book by myself before I read it to children. Sharing books with children is great but you must be responsible and aware of what you are sharing.
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Summary: A Proud Mom's Review
Review: I am the proud mom of a young man who has volunteered for the past few years in New York City, restoring the John J. Harvey. When he told me that the fireboat had been called into action on Sept. 11, I was very proud, and when I found out that this book had been written about her and her important contribution...well...let the book explain! This is a somewhat gentle, positive explanation of New York City's and America's response to the tragedy of 9/11. No one can ever totally explain to young children why 9/11 happened, but we can certainly tell them how we reacted. Having been on the John J. Harvey, you can feel the pride and strength of her from stern to bow and that is protrayed in this lovely book. It is also a lesson for young people; that which we seemingly "throw away" as being "old" often comes back to help us and show it's worth. I admit to being prejudiced for personal reasons about this book, but that aside, I feel it's a noteworthy example of the power of words and art to explain difficult situations to young children.
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Summary: Terrific Book - No Excuses!
Review: I guess I'm somewhat taken aback by some of the reviewers who apparently read the book to their children, or got partway through it, without having looked it over themselves first. Sorry, that's just irresponsible. The book is a fabulous treatment of a terrible subject that your children ARE aware of, and this helps explain how ordinary people became heroes that awful day. My 6-year old first fell in love with this book when he was 4, and he knows enough about 9/11 to know it was a horrible event. His dad (me) was next door to the WTC that morning, so he and his brother lived through waiting to hear from me with his mom. The book is sensitive and touching. It's a great book and I highly recommend it. If you think your child might have a problem with ANY book, you should always read it yourself first.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Book - No Excuses!
Review: I guess I'm somewhat taken aback by some of the reviewers who apparently read the book to their children, or got partway through it, without having looked it over themselves first. Sorry, that's just irresponsible. The book is a fabulous treatment of a terrible subject that your children ARE aware of, and this helps explain how ordinary people became heroes that awful day. My 6-year old first fell in love with this book when he was 4, and he knows enough about 9/11 to know it was a horrible event. His dad (me) was next door to the WTC that morning, so he and his brother lived through waiting to hear from me with his mom. The book is sensitive and touching. It's a great book and I highly recommend it. If you think your child might have a problem with ANY book, you should always read it yourself first.
Rating:
Summary: a glorious tribute to heroes
Review: I have been an educator for 30 years, and mother for 12. I have a doctoral degree in special education. I was so touched by this book that I have donated copies to libraries, in addition to buying them for friends with and without young children.
As a native New Yorker now living in another state, I struggled daily to explain 9/11 to my students and my own children. Not until I saw "Fireboat" did I have a children's book to help my explanations. None of us can ignore what happened in 2001. I have seen parents and teachers try, and their children became more confused and scared by the secrecy than they would have been by an open discussion of the events.
I applaud the sensitive story, the beautiful artwork, and the idea that, out of the terror and horror of 9/11, we can find positive acts and hope.
I recommend this book to parents everywhere.
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