Stepping on the Cracks

Rating:
Summary: Great Insights
Review: I have read so many books pertaining to World War II, but none of them has had such an effect on me than Stepping on the Cracks. Stepping on the Cracks is about two young girls named Margaret and Elizabeth living in College Hill. College Hill is a town that has been thrown apart by war- young boys everywhere are off at war, and a few have even already been killed. Jimmy, Maragaret's brother, and Joe, Elizabeth's brother, are among those off at war. The story shows how the events and battles in Europe and Asia affect life back at home in the average American town.

One of the reasons this book has set itself apart from others I have read is that it gives an American child's point of view. Almost all of the other books I have read have been about the Holocaust- from both Jewish and Christian children and adult's point of views. There is hardly a word mentioned about the Holocaust in this book. Battles are mentioned as letters come home, giving blow-by-blow accounts, but the main story is focused on a little war going on in College Hill.

Elizabeth and Margaret's worst enemy is Gordy Smith, and they are trying to get revenge on him for something he did. So they follow him to his "secret hideout" where they find quite a surprise- Gordy has been hiding his brother Stuart, a deserter, from his parents and the rest of the town. When Stuart gets sick, Elizabeth and Margaret join forces with Gordy to help Stuart get better and protect him from his harsh, criminal father.

Perhaps it is simply because of the times we are in now that made me like this book so much. Somehow, all the other books on World War II I have read have always seemed impossible, that such a thing could never happen again. The events of September 11th have proved that such a thing CAN happen again, and to the great country of America nonetheless. This book helped me to understand what could, but hopefully will not, happen to my life. I just hope that it never will.

Rating:
Summary: Great WWII Literature
Review: In Maryland in 1944, Margaret and Elizabeth are surrounded by patriotism and expectations of the war in Europe. Both having older brothers fighting in Belgium against the Germans they pray for peace, while back in College Hill they engage in a personal struggle with Gordy Smith, a local boy who persists to bully the girls constantly. As the tension escalates between the girls and Gordy, Margaret and Elizabeth discover a terrible secret. Since that summer Gordy Smith has been aiding and obeying his brother Stuart, a deserter from the military. Leading to future conflicts and resolutions within the community, Margaret begins to form her own beliefs upon patriotism and war.

This book is probably most suitable for a 4th, 5th or 6th grade reading level but would be most enjoyable for an older person who may already have substantial justified opinions concerning the issues displayed in the book. The message based on diverse beliefs was a good one however; it may have been slightly biased to the thoughts of the author (which ended up being reflected by the main character). It is admirable for how well structured the plot and overall story was designed. The included map and key were also an additional touch to add to the story's realism. Overall "Stepping on the Cracks" is a good venture for light reading for those who may be interested.

Rating:
Summary: L.S. (eng. homework)
Review: In Maryland in 1944, Margaret and Elizabeth are surrounded by patriotism and expectations of the war in Europe. Both having older brothers fighting in Belgium against the Germans they pray for peace, while back in College Hill they engage in a personal struggle with Gordy Smith, a local boy who persists to bully the girls constantly. As the tension escalates between the girls and Gordy, Margaret and Elizabeth discover a terrible secret. Since that summer Gordy Smith has been aiding and obeying his brother Stuart, a deserter from the military. Leading to future conflicts and resolutions within the community, Margaret begins to form her own beliefs upon patriotism and war.

This book is probably most suitable for a 4th, 5th or 6th grade reading level but would be most enjoyable for an older person who may already have substantial justified opinions concerning the issues displayed in the book. The message based on diverse beliefs was a good one however; it may have been slightly biased to the thoughts of the author (which ended up being reflected by the main character). It is admirable for how well structured the plot and overall story was designed. The included map and key were also an additional touch to add to the story's realism. Overall "Stepping on the Cracks" is a good venture for light reading for those who may be interested.

Rating:
Summary: PLEASE READ THIS!
Review: Nowadays there are so few books written about the era of war times, and fewer about the families of military personal and what they go through. Stepping On The Cracks is a wonderful book written about two friends Margaret and Elizabeth and the notorious class bully Gordy. Gordy continously bothers and bugs the two girls and the only thing that they want is for him to leave them alone. When all hope seems lost they discover something that Gordy his hiding. Gordy is doing everything to help his brother Stuart (who is a deserter from the army) keep hidden so he is not taken away. Of course Elizabeth and Margaret take full advantage of this situation, so they make a plan to blackmail Gordy. This plan goes well for a few days but Stuart gets desperatly sick and is in need of a doctor. The girls do not want to turn him in, so they do their best to take care of him from giving him soup to playing "hookie" at school. Margaret at first did not accept Stuart because her very own brother was fighting in the war and risking his life. She thought he was a plain sissy but as she gets to know him better she realizes that there is a gentler side to him. Eventually, she gets feel sympathetic for him but his health was getting worse by the minute. This book goes through all the different feelings that Elizabeth has with her brother and family to her own views about war. She struggles over the choices about turning him in or if she should take him to see the doctor. Mary Downing Hahn is a brilliant writer and this book goes through many twists and turns.

I really liked that the book was written by the view of a kid who had her own personal views conflicting from her family. It shows that we should have our own views which is very important nowadays. It also teaches us to look beyond someones outside to what might be the problem of their actions. Gordy had huge family problems that attributed to his snappy attitude and controlling personality. These days kids just take things for what they are and they either accept it or they don't. If they dont accept something they leave it alone without any followup on what might be the cause. Im glad that someone had the guts and talent to tackle these huge topics.

I think that anyone will enjoy this book, whether it be a light fun read or if you want to really soak all the information this book offers. It has a very wide range of readability, I think that anyone can read it from a 5 grader doing a book report or an adult.

You will be suprised by the twist ending as I was and I hope you enjoy this wonderful book!

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT NOVEL
Review: Stepping On The Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn has been one of the best Novels I have read. This book is about how a little town College Hill is reacting to World War 2. The book starts off in the summer time with Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth playing monopoly thinking about their brothers in the war. This was one of the best realistic fiction books I have ever read about this time and era, all the details were great. The author actually makes you see what is happening with the great sensory detail
. For instance I thought I could see Gordy's face white as a ghost with only his scare from his father beating him.
Well later in the book Elizabeth is angry with Gordy and his gang took apart their tree house. Being mischievous they follow Gordy in to the wood to find their hide out. Gordy tells them that there is a crazy man in the woods and it ends up being Gordys own brother, Stuart the deserter from the army. Elizabeth and Margaret are furious and threaten the big mean bully Gordy that there going to tell on his brother so he goes to jail. Gordy begs and makes them new tree house. Stuart is now getting sick in the wintertime. So the two girls feel sorry for him they try to help but he just get worse and worse. Barbara (Stuart's close friend) to take him to the doctor he ends up being really sick. Margaret's brother Jimmy is not writing back and later dies in Belgium. Stuart is now better and goes over to his house to settle the score with his drunken father. His father beats him and is arrested. Gordy's family moves in with his grandmother in North Carolina. Stuart gets married to Barbara! Now that the Americans are wining the war every thing is almost the same in College Hill. Except for the missing loved ones.
In the book I like all the suspense and all the interesting changes that happened throughout the story. When Gordy is the meanest bully in the school and then he becomes friends with Elizabeth and Margaret. That was pretty cool. One of the things I really didn't like it when Jimmy died because you got so emotionally attached to him.
I think any American good-hearted person would enjoy this book no matter what gender male or female, personally I thought it was written as a good family novel and 12-14 year olds.
While I was reading this book I went through many emotions. At times you almost wanted to cry and other time you where filled with laughter. This was a truly great drama. Also many of you are wondering where did they get the title. Well in the story they had a rhyme which was step on a crack and break Hitler's back. They did this a lot and it centered around the whole war so it pretty simple.
If you want to read a good book and you like American down to earth stories check out this book! You will cry, laugh and worry about every one like they were your closets friends.

Rating:
Summary: Stepping on the Cracks
Review: Stepping On The Cracks is a book about 2 girls named Margaret and Elizabeth that have brothers that are fighting in the war against Hitler. In the neighborhood there's a boy named Gordy that bugs them and torments them. When Gordy and his friends Toad and Doug go to far Elizabeth and Margaret come up with a plan to get even with them. When they go and try to get even they find out a shocking secret that would shock their parents and most likely the whole town.
I really liked this book. I didn't think I would like it to begin with but it was really good after I raid a couple of chapters. There weren't any times in the book that wouldn't make sense to me but for some people there might be times that they may get a little to confused but as you go along it would make sense.
I think kids between the ages of 10 and 13 would really like and enjoy this book. When it comes to which gender would like the book more I would say that both boys and girls would like it equally.

Rating:
Summary: Stepping On The Cracks
Review: Stepping On The Cracks is a great book filled with excitement and patriotism. In this book young and courageous kids bump into many surprises along the way. This book takes place during the time of World War II in the tiny town of College Hill. The book focuses on Margaret, Elizabeth, and Gordy. Margaret and Elizabeth are best friends that can't stand Gordy who is, of course, the school bully. The two girls and their families are going through a rough stage that includes a lot of stress and anxiety because both Elizabeth and Margaret have brothers that are fighting in the war. On top of everything going on with their families they have their own personal issues with Gordy; he keeps picking on everyone in the 6th grade, especially Margaret and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, who can sometimes have a bad temper, wants sweet revenge, and she gets even more than what she ever thought she could get. Margaret, who follows along and usually does what Eizabeth wants, gets persuaded and joins in on the whole revenge idea.

Just when Elizabeth and Margaret started to enjoy blackmail they realize that they want to help Gordy. Without much enthusiasm Gordy allows them to help and for the girls, the idea of revenge fades away more and more. Gordy's family wasn't an average one and Margaret and Elizabeth see a different side of him and they learn more about what his family is like "behind the scenes." Both of the girls try to help out and they want to tell someone about Gordy's little secret but they promised not to tell a living soul. Finally, not even Gordy can stand trying to solve his problem so the 3 kids go to a loyal friend, Barbara, who helps out more than what was required.

I think that readers from ages 9- 13 will enjoy reading this book. Stepping On The Cracks teaches many valuable lessons. I definitely recommend this book to people interested in books about friendship and how friendships evolve. The main theme in this book is the importance of trust. Throughout the book, that's a quality that the characters demonstrate.

Rating:
Summary: Bk Rewiew( eng homework ;P
Review: This book is about two best friends, Margaret and Elizabeth, experiencing a thrilling adventure as they discover the secrets of their worst enemy.
Back in College Hill, Maryland during World War 2, the girls were filled with patriotism like everyone else in America. Their bigger brothers, Jimmy and Joe were in war then. However, they were having their own private war against the worst sixth grade bully, Gordy.
When Gordy Smith tore down their tree house, they decided to get even with him. They followed him to his hideout in the woods, across the train tracks. That was when they found out that Stuart, Gordy's elder brother was hiding there, instead of fighting for America like their brothers. The girls were wrathful at first, but when the deserter had pneumonia, Margaret and Elizabeth sympathized. They helped by bring food and medicine that Gordy could not afford to do so.
As winter deepens, Stuart's condition worsens. The children decided to get help from Barbara, a war widow, who was also a classmate of Stuart.
Just as Stuart was getting better, resting in Barbara's house, his father punched Gordy and his family members. Thus, he decided to protect his family from his abusive, alcoholic father. He was beaten up badly in the process and was sent to hospital. His identity and him being a deserter was found out eventually.
Just before the incident, the news of Margaret's brother being killed in action broke out. Grief filled the girl's heart. Although her brother has won many medals for his bravery, nothing was able to substitute his presence.
Margaret's mother found out about her helping a deserter, while her son got killed in the war. She was ashamed of her own daughter. However, the girl was determined not to regret her own decision, no matter what her mother had to say.
The book is full of agitation and excitement. There are twists and turns along the story. It shows us how lucky the children of today are, compared to Margaret, Elizabeth and Gordy.