From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-- At the heart of this contemporary survival-friendship story are two unlikely 11-year-old allies, one black and one white. Nathan is small, wiry, bad-tempered, and an avid reader; Julia is tall, clumsy, a whiner, and virtually illiterate. The forces that unite them are their shared status as outsiders, and more importantly, their joint discovery of a treasure trove of cash in an abandoned house. Fearing retribution when their secret is exposed (they have flaunted their new-found wealth in front of classmates and teachers), they decide to run away together. What follows is a realistic record of a developing relationship as two former foes learn to respect, trust, and even make sacrifices for one another. In addition to compelling characterization, Thomas maintains interest with a storyline that is both believable and suspenseful, and a skilled writing style. This should appeal to young adolescents who can identify with the protagonists' feelings of inferiority, their desire to transcend their problems, and the conflicting needs for security and independence. --Julie Corsaro, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.