Nothing to Fear [Paperback]

Jackie French Koller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 1993 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Thirteen-year-old Danny and his family are struggling to make ends meet in New York during the Great Depression. His father leaves to search for work, and Danny and his mother do what they can to survive. With his mother pregnant and unable to help, Danny is forced to beg for food. Through it all, they retain their good humor and family pride, and in the end help arrives in a most unexpected guise. “Rich, rewarding historical fiction.”--Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-- New York City youngster Daniel Garvey is around 11 when the Depression begins. At first he doesn't notice it much, but as the years go by, he sees the toll first in his neighborhood, as friends' families are evicted, and then in his own family. His father, out of work, takes to the road to find employment, and Daniel is left in charge of his expecting, ailing mother and his baby sister. Things go from bad to worse, until the family is rescued by someone who, at first blush, appears to be worse off than they. This differs from Pieter Van Raven's A Time of Troubles (Scribners, 1990) in that it deals with an eastern metropolitan population, not migrant workers. Less derivative than Van Raven's book, it also presents a view of the Depression that, if no less desperate, is less bleak. Daniel is an engaging protagonist who goesthrough numerous rites of passage familiar to young teens--first girlfriend, shaving, and the sudden realization that he is taller than his mother. He must also come to terms with his father's death and mother's remarriage. If it all works out a trifle too smoothly, the story still imparts the flavor of the time, and the strong plot line and numerous interesting supporting characters will hold readers' attention. --Ann Welton, Univ . Child Development School, Seattle
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

JACKIE FRENCH KOLLER is the award-winning author of numerous books for children. She lives in Westfield, Massachusets.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (August 27, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152575820
• ISBN-13: 978-0152575823
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,568 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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, This Review By Luke Perkins, February 27, 2004

By 

Joel Perkins (Wilmington, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nothing to Fear (Paperback)

Nothing to fear, a great book, emphasizes courage during hard times. The setting is New York City. During the Great Depression. The subject is a 13 year old boy named Danny, whose dad goes away to find work, promising to be home by Christmas. While his father is gone Danny has to take care of his sickly mother and his 2 year old sister.
Not only does he have to take care of them, but he has to go to school, work at a store to pay back for a broken window, and shines peoples shoes to make a couple of extra cents (his mother uses have of it for life insurance, much to his disliking.)He often eats very little; somtimes not at all.
One of his friends gets evicted, and ends up living in a box at Central Park. His best friend Mickey adds some comedy to this book.
During this hard time with people even committing suicide all around him, Danny tries his best to be brave.
While Danny's father is away searching for a job, his mother gets sick right after she has another baby. Then she goes into a coma. This is one of the hardest times for Danny. He almost runs away but a friend stops him and persuades hi to stay. Then a guy named Hank comes and helps take care of the family.
Does his father return? Does his mother recover? Read this book and find out.
Overall this a great book. It would be nice if it had more action. But then again not all good books are like the Lord of the Rings. I would highly recomend this book for all ages.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, sweet and sad., October 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nothing to Fear (Paperback)

I loved this book. It made me think about my mother who grew up Irish in New York City in the 20's and 30's. I gave it to her to read and she also found it very touching and close to home. Thankyou Jackie French Koller for writing this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving and clear-eyed view of hardship in the Depression, December 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Nothing to Fear (Paperback)

Set in New York City, the story tells about Danny Garvey and his family's struggles to get enough to eat and keep a roof over their heads. For me this was a one session I couldn't put it down read. The author has a terrific ear for dialogue, and I found myself really caring about these characters. The book is sad and funny in parts and is unblinking in its depiction of how the Depression affected the lives of people. The author gives details about things like Hoovervilles (shantytowns) and the hope with which people greeted the election of Roosevelt as well as weaving a good story. A book that would lend itself to great class discussions.Wonderful descriptions of daily life in 1932- I felt as though I were there.