Customer Reviews

Nothing to Fear

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Danny Garvey and his family are trying to deal with the hardships of going through the Great Depression. Danny's dad Daniel Garvey decides to leave to look for work because Danny's family doesn't have enough money to support themselves. Weeks pass and Danny, his mother, and, sister wait for a letter from Daniel. Danny's family eventually becomes very close to the Riley family because of the absence of Daniel. Christmas comes and Danny hopes that his dad will make it home for Christmas. Danny's dad doesn't show up and Danny's family is very disappointed. Months go by and there is still no word from Daniel. Then Danny learns that his mother is pregnant and as weeks go by she becomes very sick. Danny's family meets a guy named Hank and he is the one who cares for Danny's sick mother. Danny's mother eventually goes into a coma and Danny finds a letter that tells him that Daniel died. Then one week passes and Danny's mom awakes from the coma and marries Hank. They then have a grand funeral for Danny's dad as the Great Depression finally subsides.



This story's setting is in the neighborhoods of New York City. It is a poor neighborhood and the people do not have any hope of surviving the depression. This story takes place for about a year.


I would recommend this story to anyone because it teaches you a great amount on how people's lives were affected in the Great Depression. This story will make you appreciate the things you take advantage of in life. You should read this book because it is so interesting and is funny at times. This story is very heartbreaking but is one of the most heartwarming stories. I enjoyed this story so much.

I read this book three years ago, when I was [...], and I really enjoyed it. I had a very basic idea what the Great Depression was, but I didn't really know.
Now, I'm reading it again. I've read it before and can understand it more, and it really is an outstanding book. It's well written, filled with dialogue and conflict, and provided me with different people's points of view on the Great Depression. Now that I'm older, I know what it is, and how it happened, but that actually made the book lose some of it's sparkle. It's still a great book and I would recommend it to anyone 8-12 who wants an insight on the Great Depression through the eyes of a young boy. I would also recommend it to anyone who likes adventure, friendship, and a good read.

Kollor made a story that touched me deeply and opened my sensitive side with me weep at the horrorfying ending. But I also cried tears for joy that Danny was a grown man and learned to deal with hardship. This book shows us a way into the depression unlike most others telling what was happening.

I have always thought that the 1930's were the most interesting times in the 20th century to study. So, much was changing in the world and so much in the United States. Danny Garvey, the main character, is a boy who trys to live through these hard times with all the courage he can muster,looking after Ma and little Maureen. His Pa, Daniel , senior is a man torn between staying with his family and looking for a job. Molly, the mother, has to hold together her family and support it at the same time. Maggie, the next door neighbor girl, is as tough as nails and sweet on Danny.Hank, the Okie, comes into Danny's life at a diffucult time to help out. Mr. Weissman is a store owner just trying to make it. Mrs. Riley, Maggies's Mom, raising 7 kids through the Depression and an abusive alcholic husband. This book really captures the Depressiona and the peole who lived through it. Jackie Koller makes this time period real for kids and adults who are lucky enough to pick up her book. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE KNOWN THESE CHARACTERS!!!!

The story is about an Irish faimily growing up in the depression. It is so gripping that I promise that you would not put it down if you read it. The story has a sadness that you feel, and a houmor that makes you laugh out loud to yourself. Kroller makes you want to live with the charachters, you almost want to talk to them. It is a bittersweet story that you will never forget.

This story is a well written account of life during the Great Depression! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nothing to Fear is an amzing book about a boy named Danny who's growing up in the Great Depression. After his firend's family gets evicted there is more trouble. His dad has to go look for work. He promises to be home by Christmas. The hard times are just beginning though. With suicides going on every day and his mother getting sick after having a baby you have to wonder is there really nothing to fear? This is a story you'll never want to put down and read over and over again.