Customer Reviews

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a teacher in Johnstown. Many of the students in our building live, or are very familiar with, the part of town depicted in "A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt". The children listened so closely as one or two chapters were read each day. Once in a while, a child would cry out, "Hey! I know where that is - it's right near MY house!" So many times they asked me to keep reading. They couldn't wait to hear what would happen to "Margo" and "Charlie" next! We were so fortunate to have C. Coco De Young visit our school and talk with students currently reading "A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt". She spoke to the children just as she had written her book...WITH HEART. She took the time to answer questions while inspiring the students to read and write. This book can be integrated into the curriculum so easily. It is history and geography. It is interesting, imaginative, and heart-warming. It is the Great Depression as seen through the eyes of another child.

I am a fourth grade teacher in New Jersey and my students and I just finished reading this book. We couldn't put it down!!! Mrs. DeYoung developed such wonderful characters and my students were able to empathize with each and every one of them. Thank you Mrs. DeYoung for making this wonderful book not only enlightening, but educational!! We can't wait for a new book!!

This book was about a young girl at the time of the depression. Her family grows poor when her brother goes to the hostpital for a leg infection. They can not pay the morage bills, so in 2 weeks are expected to get the money they owe, or else they will have to leave their home. At the time a lot of exiting things happen, with her and her best friend, in school and at home. I liked this book a lot and I bet you will to!

Eleven-year-old Margo Bandini lives with her Mama, Papa, and brother,Charlie in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It is the early 1930's and the Great Depression is sweeping the land like a plague and ruining peoples lives. Steel Mill workers in Margo's hometown are losing their jobs. Margo's Papa is in debt because he borrowed $5,000 from the bank that they used for Charlie's leg oporation. The Bandinis now have two weeks to pay back the $5,000 they owe or else they will be forced to move from their home. For a school project, Margo's class has to write a letter to someone whom they admire. Margo decides to write to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, also known as Eleanor Everywhere. Since her husband, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, has gotten sick with polio, Mrs. Roosevelt goes around the country helping those in need. Will the letter get there in time? Can Mrs. Roosevelt help the Bandinis?
A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt is an historical fiction novel. This book is narrated from Margo's point of view. On a scale of one to five stars, this book would rate a four because itis very interesting, but we think it ended too soon. If you want to read a dramatic, real-life story about what life was like for some kids during the Depression, this book is the one you should choose.

Reason for Reading: Read aloud to ds as part of our history curriculum.

This is a fictional story but the author's note at the end lets us know that it is based on a true story of her grandfather who wrote to First Lady Roosevelt and received help from her. The story takes place in Pennsylvania, 1933, just in the beginning grips of the Depression. Margo's family is feeling the affects of rationing and slower business, but Margo feels secure even though she's seen one family on her street evicted from their house and her best friend, Rosa, across the street has recently had a Sheriff's Notice put on her house. They don't talk about it though. One day at school they are given an assignment to write a letter to someone who is inspiring and Margot hasn't a clue who to write to, while Rosa knows right off that she's writing to Amelia Earhart. That day as they walk home after school, Rosa quickly says goodbye as she was the first to notice that upon Margo's door had been plastered the dreaded Sheriff's Notice. Will they lose their house and everything they own?

This is a short little book that packs a big wallop within its pages. The story is told through the eyes of Margo and from her point of view we learn a lot about life during the Great Depression for a regular merchant family. Papa is getting by because he is accepting forms of payment other than money, but the bank doesn't accept this type of business when it comes to house payments and things look bleak. Margo becomes determined to find a way to save the house and her admiration for Eleanor Everywhere, the First Lady, puts an idea into her head. Thus we also learn quite a lot about Eleanor Roosevelt throughout the course of the book as well. The story is emotionally tense at times; it gripped my son too mightily at anxious moments (though he is a sensitive lad). Margo has a little brother who was underdeveloped as a character but otherwise it is a wonderful family story to see the parents confiding in Margo, the mutual respect, and Margo's honour towards her parents.

This books rates five stars since I t believe that it is a good book and a whole lot better than most children's books today. That said, I wasn't all that impressed with the story and there wasn't as much historical reference as I would have liked.

I recommend this book because Margo almost has to leave her house forever. But someone helps her. She write a letter to Mrs. Roosevelt for help. Her teacher is someone very special. Read this to find out who her teacher is.

I really thought this book was very exciting! This book really kept me off my feet when something bad happened! I thought it was a good book because sometimes good things would happen and sometimes bad things would happen! I was one of the best books I have ever read!

Margo is an eleven year old girl living in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, during the Great Depression. Her little brother was injured a few years ago, and her family borrowed money to pay for an operation. Now, the bank is calling in the loan. If thet don't pay back the money in two weeks, they will be forced to leave their home. In desperation, Margo writes to the first lady, Mrs. Roosevelt, and asks for help. To find out what happens, read this book!

Although written for a young reader, even adults will enjoy this sweet tidbit of history during the FDRoosevelt era. It shows the hardships experienced during the depression, hardships which hit families so hard it makes you want to cry - yet there is a sweet slice of hope by two young girls. The one girl (main character) puts all her hope in "one basket" in a desperate means to help save others. This small book pulls you in and finds you cheering in your heart for the young girl. Very readable and very entertaining yet very realistic with history lessons within. A five star recommendation to buy and read!