Customer Reviews

Operation Clean Sweep

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Cornelius, "Corn" to his friends, is a welcome and genuine narrator in this story based on real political events early in the 20th century. Corn's dad is the town mayor, but he doesn't know that the women in town are tired of dragging their dresses through chicken poop in the streets and stepping over holes in the wooden sidewalks.

A secret coup takes shape among the women as they intend to run for office. Corn is astounded to learn that. But even worse is the fact hat his mom is going to run AGAINST his dad for mayor.

The writing is tight and clean. It lends itself to being read aloud to young listeners. Corn's troubles are the kind that every kid goes through, and he relates them in a matter-of-fact kind of way that's endearing. His infatuation with Birdine is warm and funny, and progresses naturally.

The friendship between Corn and Oatmeal (Otis) is a riot. Oatmeal has fallen in love with his tape measure and is constantly measuring things or poking people with it. The boy humor is just as real as the historical setting.

I read this one aloud to my nine-year-old and he cracked up a lot. In addition to the political war at home, Corn's problems with Birdine, and struggling to write his essay on the Great War (World War I), Corn also has to deal with Stick Fingers Fred, the worst pickpocket in the area at the time.

Darleen Bailey Beard has written one of those timeless books that school libraries should have on their shelves and parents should enjoy with their children.

In Operation Clean Sweep, Darleen Bailey Beard shows us some important things about how attitudes toward women have changed, but she does it with humor and good fun. Cornelius and his best pal Otis are determined to figure out what the women are up to during secret meetings to formulate a plan to take over town government -- but figuring out what to do about the sister suffragists doesn't occupy all their time. Cornelius also learns how to talk to a pretty girl (imagine her with boogers -- lots of boogers) and a thing or two about catching desperate characters. All the pieces come together to make this a lively story with enough history to make it good for you.