| Author: Mary Downing Hahn Book Review by: Roshan R Class: 6 |
Stepping on the Cracks
My review is about Stepping on the Cracks, a historical fiction novel set during World War II. The novel is written by Mary Downing Hahn. The story’s main characters are three kids, Margaret, Elizabeth and Gordy.
What is the story about?
The effects of war: The story takes place during World war II. Both girls have brothers fighting in the war. Margarte’s brother is fighting in Europe and Elizabeth’s brother is fighting in the Pacific. Gordy’s brother is also a soldier but he deserts the army and runs back home. Margaret and Elizabeth change the name of a game “Step on the crack and break your mother’s back” to make a new saying, “Step on a crack, break Hitler’s back.”
There is bullying! Everyday, the two girls Margaret and Elizabeth have to worry about a boy named Gordy who bullies them. Gordy’s friends also join in the bullying. Gordy’s dad is a bigger bully because he beats his wife and kids.
There is illness: Gordy’s brother Stuart becomes sick and can barely stand while he is hiding. When Margaret and Elizabeth find out about Stuart, Gordy decides to let the girls help him.
The novel is about friendship: At first it is about the friendship between Margaret and Elizabeth. But when they learn about Gordy’s his brother who is sick and hiding in the old shed, they can’t ignore him. So they help take care of Stuart. A new type of friendship blooms between the two girls and Gordy.
There is death and sadness: When a letter comes to Margaret’s family, they find out that her brother Jimmy died in the war. Margaret cries in Jimmy’s room.
People can act in unexpected ways: Margaret’s mother sees the bruises on Gordy and his sister. But she doesn’t go to the police. She is angry because Stuart, Gordy’s brother, escaped with his life but her son, Jimmy, died in the war.
What impression did Stepping on the Cracks leave on me? It made me wonder about why people have different opinions about many things. Like at the beginning of the story, Margaret and Elizabeth support the war fully. Helping Stuart, and Jimmy’s death make Margaret realise that was a simple view. Like that there are many situations where we have one opinion. Seeing the same thing from another person’s point of view can help us understand them better.
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes, of course! It makes you think if there can be more than one way to look at things.
Read more:
Talking with Mary Downing Hahn
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