The Barn Burner [Hardcover]

Patricia Willis (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

After a family disagreement, Ross Cooper leaves home with only a knapsack and the clothes on his back. He hopes to find work, but job prospects in the 1930s are dim, especially for someone as young and inexperienced as Ross. His troubles worsen after he is spotted fleeing a burning barn in a Ohio town where a number of barns have gone up in flames. Though a kind but destitute family takes Ross in, he yearns to hit the road again, especially when another barn is set afire and he falls under suspicion. But stronger than his wish to leave is his hope to discover the true identity of the barn burner and clear his name. This moving and fast-paced story captures the spirit of determination and hope boys like Ross needed to survive during the Great Depression.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-After an argument with his out-of-work father turns violent, Ross Cooper joins thousands of others on the road in 1933. As the story opens, the 14-year-old wakes up to find that the barn he has spent the night in is in flames. He catches only a glimpse of the man he presumes has set the fire before he rushes outside and almost into the arms of the barn's owner. Ross escapes, but leaves the owner thinking that he set the fire. Thus, Willis's first plot thread is firmly established. The second thread involves Ross helping a woman and her three children settle into a ramshackle house. All he hopes for is a meal or two, but as word spreads about a young arsonist in the area, his stay lengthens. Thus Willis is able to depict the difficulty of daily life in the Depression, as well as the boy's internal conflicts over his feelings about his adopted family and his real family. Add to this his suspicions about various men in the vicinity who might be the culprit, and Willis has enough twists and turns to keep young readers involved. Ross's maturation as he begins to understand the desperation of so many men, including his own father, to provide for their families is deftly handled and believable. The love exhibited in his adopted family counterbalances the hard times. By tying an unsentimental look at the era together with a mystery, the author has created a story that is both appealing and of literary merit.
Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"By tying an unsentimental look at the era together with a mystery, the author has created a story that is both appealing and of literary merit" School Library Journal

"Willis has a good feel for the period of the Great Depression, and readers will share her obvious affection for her characters." Booklist, ALA

"compelling, well-written historical novel, peopled with beautifully realized characters" Kirkus Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (April 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395984092
• ISBN-13: 978-0395984093
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a good book, February 13, 2003

By 

a student (Versailles, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Barn Burner (Paperback)

This book is a mystery book. It would be a good book for boys and girls.
The Barn Burner is a book about a boy named Ross who left his family during the Great Depression. His father and he were arguing over whether or not Ross earned the chicken he brought home one night. Ross's mother angerly told Ross to leave.
While Ross was on the road he ate anything he could find. He also ate anything he could find. One morning he woke up in a barn that was on fire. He was accused of burning the barn so he ran. He met up with a family called the Warfields. They provided him with a place to stay and eat while people we're searching for the barn burner. Ross tried to find the real barn burner during his stay at the Warfield's. Does Ross find the real barn burner? Read this book to find out.

4.0 out of 5 stars A 4th Grade Student Review, March 8, 2010

By 

Mollie E. Gabrielson "One of my 4th grade stu... (South Dakota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Barn Burner (Hardcover)

The Barn Burner by Patricia Willis is a great book! She makes you turn the pages all through the book. The book is a mystery. "Get out of my sight" were the last words his mother said to him. When he woke up smoke was filling up the room and then... you will have to read it to find out. THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RUN AWAY!!, December 14, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Barn Burner (Hardcover)

A boy, trapped in a burning barn! He sees the horses, he lets them go. Finnallly he gets out, and he sees a man! Coming after him! He runs and he doesn't stop untill he meets Mary. The boy is Ross and he is a runnaway. This book takes place during the Great Depression so it is no surprise that he is wandering around, sleeping in barns, and looking for work. Ross was kicked out of his house because of a fight between him and his father and he is out to live alone. Thats how it all happened. He was sleeping in a barn when suddenly he awoke gulped in flames. The barn owner got a good look at Ross but he knows best. You should just stay out of peoples way. But then he meets Mary and he kids Hannah, Jimmy, and Emily. He meets them on the road. They are trying to move to a house not far from where they were. Since he has nothing to do he decides to help them because they look like they need help. They all meet and when they get to the house Ross is offered to stay for the night. Then one night grows to two nights and two to three. From then on he is determined to help Mary and her family, without being caught. This is a very touching book, but it has a flip side. Along wiht being touching it is full of action and excitement. It has nearly everything in a book a kid could want.If you read one book this year, make it this one!