Skip to main content

When the Whistle Blows

By

Fran Cannon Slayton
Philomel, 2009. 159 pgs. Juvenile fiction.
The whole of this book is greater than the sum of its parts. Narrated by Jimmy Cannon, a young boy growing up in an Appalachian railroad town, the story takes place on successive Halloweens (his father's birthday) beginning in 1943 and ending with his father's death in 1949. Jimmy loves steam trains and wants to be a railroad man like his father and his older brothers, but his passion is thwarted by the advent of diesel engines and his father's steadily pushing him in a different direction. But most of the book is about what it was like to grow up in Rowlesburg, West Virginia in the 40s--from Jimmy and his friend hucking rotten cabbages on Halloween night at . . . the wrong car to their winning effort in a football game against the hated Kingwood Stags. Sorrow doesn't pass the small town by, either, when a boiler blows on the 7049 out of Tunnelton and fathers, sons, and brothers die. Though Jimmy passes through many maturing experiences, his voice and preoccupations don't seem to change much until the end of the story and Ms. Slayton gets a bit simile-happy here and there. Still, When the Whistle Blows is a gentle, life-affirming, father and son story that stays in the heart, as do the many characters young and old, large and small, who live on in this story of the West Virginia hill country.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The Mixed-Up Owl

By
The Mixed-Up Owl  Written by Marzena Sowa Illustrated by Joanna Lorno New York : Hippo Park, 2025. Picture Book. When Owl can't sleep at night, he heads off to see if any forest animals can help him understand why, and even more so, how to fix it!  Unfortunately, all the animals Owl runs into at night are asleep and all the animals he meets during the day are too rude or too busy to answer him.  Will Owl give up or will a chance meeting with a grumpy hedgehog provide all the solutions Owl was looking for? The premise of an owl trying to stay awake during the day because all the other animals around him do is very fun. Kids who know that owls are nocturnal will get a kick out of Owl's confusion and be quick to try to tell him what's going on.  Readers who don't know many facts about owls (or nocturnal animals in general) will get a brief introduction to the different ways animals sleep. The illustrations are charming, especially cute Owl and his expressive body langua...
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Fives: Friendship

By
Friendship is such an important part of life! I love to have my friends to celebrate life's victories with. When I am having a rough time, I also rely on the strength of my friends. Picture books are a great way to talk to kids about friendships. With a new school year just around the corner, I think talking with kids about friendship and how to be a good friend is so important. These five books have friendships in them that might help facilitate discussions with your people! Love Grows Here By Amy Adele New York : Magic Cat Publishing, 2025. Picture Book. In this sweet story, there is a lovely garden that an elderly couple tends to with joy in their heart. When the woman is sent to the hospital for an extended stay, the animals that love the garden worry it won't be the same. But through grit and determination and teamwork, they work together and do what friends do best: take care of each other! The illustrations are absolutely amazing and will have kids enthralled with all of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Display: Be A World Traveller

By Suzanne
Real Castles Around the World Written by Kaitlyn Duling Vero Beach, Florida : Rourke Educational Media, 2025. Informational. 48 pages Take a trip around the world as you read about the most impressive castles ever built! Explore fierce fortresses, castles that have inspired stories, uniquely colorful castles, and the history behind them all as you Travel to Real Castles Around the World! Part of the Travel to Children s Book Series, this 48-page nonfiction book explores castles both past and present, the kings that inhabited them, and knights that fought to protect them! Lower the drawbridge, cross the moat, and travel to real castles from all around the world as you learn about our magical history with fun-filled facts and vibrant photos. History Book Features: Before- and after-reading activities. Extension activity. Glossary About Rourke Educational Media: We proudly publish respectful and relevant nonfiction and fiction titles that represent our diverse readers, and are designed to...
Post a Comment
Read more