Close to Home: A Story of the Polio Epidemic (Once Upon America) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lydia Weaver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997 | Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Once Upon America

In the summer of 1952, Betsy sees her vacation fun overshadowed by the spreading polio epidemic, while her mother and other scientists work frantically to develop a vaccine for the crippling disease.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- In 1952, as Betsy completes fifth grade in a Pittsburgh school, the fear of polio is everywhere. When she connects with the much admired, spoiled Leticia, it looks as if her summer will be magical. However, their friendship is brought to a halt by Leticia's mother, who fears her daughter will catch polio from nearly any activity. Betsy and her brother are vaccinated at the Salk clinic, where their mother works, before the treatment is widely available. Leticia gets polio. The book is solid with historical texture; the very first chapter neatly ties the fear of the illness with McCarthyism and fear of foreigners. Unfortunately, the characters lack vitality. Although worthy, the plot and resolution are predictable and workmanlike, the conclusion didactic. Leticia declares that she will walk again; Betsy, gently fingering her vaccination, knows that Leticia will still be the same inside, and always be a fun friend. Select this title only if you have high demand for historical fiction. --Carolyn Noah, Cen tral Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Fifth-grader Betsy, whose mother works in Jonas Salk's research lab, has an on-again, off-again friendship with fascinating, mischievous Leticia, whose mother is so fearful of polio that she believes every wild speculation about how it might be spread--even that it may be carried by Communists. At the height of 1952's epidemic, Leticia is stricken despite her mother's precautions, but is gamely fighting for recovery at the close. Though cold war fears are skillfully worked into the polio story, a number of ends are left hanging: after Betsy and Leticia flood the newly poured foundation of a neighbor's bomb shelter to make a swimming pool (public pools are closed), there are never any repercussions; nor do we learn whether a brief, mysterious illness of Betsy's is actually a mild case of polio. And though fear of contagion is a major theme, Weaver omits any information on how polio is transmitted, or its symptoms and progression. Neither fictionally nor instructionally up to the ``Once Upon America'' series' usual standard. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140360832
• ISBN-13: 978-0140360837
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great book, January 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Close to Home: A Story of the Polio Epidemic (Once Upon America) (Mass Market Paperback)

A great childrens' polio book. It taught me about polio,something I didn't know anything about. The book had a message about not discriminating against people who had polio. The book shows us how to find out about the disease so that we don't hurt people's feelings. I think the author should write a similar book about AIDS. Tim

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing!, January 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Close to Home: A Story of the Polio Epidemic (Once Upon America) (Mass Market Paperback)

Only a person who lived through the polio years could relate to this story. Today's children need more background to understand the reasons for the fear, the method of polio transmission, and the references to "commies." As a polio survivor, I had hoped that this book would tell a more informative and compelling story. Instead, the book raises more questions than it answers. I found it disappointing.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars WILL MY CHILDREN READ THIS ?, February 19, 2001

By 

"elainaxyz" (bristow, oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Close to Home: A Story of the Polio Epidemic (Once Upon America) (Mass Market Paperback)

THIS BOOK IS FULL OF FEAR. WHY SCARE MY CHILD WITH SOMETHING IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY ? I LIKE THE STORY AND HOW THE AUTHOR TOUCHED ON SEVERAL DIFFERNT SUBJECTS. I THINK TO DO THIS STORY JUSTICE, THE BOOK NEEDED TO BE LONGER. THIS IS THE FIRST CHILDREN'S BOOK I HAVE SEEN ABOUT POLIO. KEEP THEM COMING.