It is 1937 and in the mining and factory town where Lennie and his family live, the workers and bosses are constantly in conflict. Meanwhile, young Lennie's got plenty of troubles of his own. Bullied in and out of school, he seeks refuge in a ruined cottage in the woods - where he meets Ralph. Well-fed, well-clothed, well-spoken and very well-heeled, Ralph is unlike any of the other boys Lennie knows. The two quickly form a friendship but then Lennie learns that Ralph is the son of one of the local bosses, a man with whom Lennie's father has often clashed. Coming from such different backgrounds, can the two boys ever truly be friends? Ann Turnbull is the author of a number of books for young people, including "The Sand Horse" and "Trouble with Bats". "Pigeon Summer", her first title for Walker Books, was shortlisted for the 1992 Smarties Book Prize and the W.H. Smith Mindboggling Books Award.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?The opposite lives of two youngsters in the mining town of Culverton, England, are depicted in this story of friendship, trust, and betrayal. Lennie, a miner's son, is the brunt of teasing and physical torment by the school bully. Ralph, the mine owner's son, is in need of friendship when he is home from boarding school. Poor boy and rich boy meet in an old abandoned cottage behind the owner's house and decide to turn it into a hideout. Each is aware of the other's differences but is willing to ignore them for the sake of the relationship. In turn, each boy's concept of loyalty is tested when Lennie is falsely accused of stealing from the owner's house. Ralph cannot overcome his fear of his father and hides behind the accusation. The classic theme of distrust between the classes is portrayed in this pre-World War II British novel along with the conflict of union v. management. Turnbull doesn't offer any real solutions; she leaves readers wondering if the two boys will ever truly understand or communicate with one another. A thought-provoking and realistic read.?Rita Soltan, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Gr. 5^-7. Bullied at school, and with no space of his own in his poor home in England during the Depression, Lennie finds a friend, Ralph, in a ruined cottage in the woods. Ralph's father is the rich, harsh boss who runs the coal mines; Lennie's father is sick from the coal dust, and his family is staunchly labor. The boys find friendship despite their class differences, but then Lennie is accused of stealing from the big house, and Ralph betrays him. Like Turnbull's Speedwell (1992), about Lennie's sister, this fine historical novel evokes the time and place with spare detail. The class conflict is a burning reality, especially as it shows the gap between the poverty of the workers and the luxury of the owners; just as strong is the personal struggle with friends and enemies. Hazel Rochman
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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