The Wall on 7th Street [Paperback]

Diane Martineau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 2005 | Age Level: 8 and up

Adjusting to his parents' recent divorce, Toby tries to get to know his new neighborhood, but right away he notices something creepy about Seventh Street: everyone is sullen and angry. They all seem to be afraid of a teen gang called the Vipers. Tapping into centuries-old power - linked to a famous Iroquois peacemaker - Toby and his homeless friend Moe find the courage to fight the Vipers and take back their neighborhood.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8–Mysticism and Iroquois legend are alive on 7th Street. Impending divorce takes Toby, his mother, and his older sister from suburbia to Mom's beloved childhood home in Syracuse, NY. It doesn't take long for the family to realize that the street is no longer the same place that she remembers. It is now in the evil clutches of the Strafer gang, led by a poor little rich boy named Hack-face. The neighborhood is overshadowed by a mural painted by the Strafers on a warehouse wall that depicts demons and scenes of destruction. Toby befriends Moe, a homeless man who lives under a deck. The unlikely friendship helps the 12-year-old deal with the pain of divorce while teaching him empathy for those around him. Moe has a theory surrounding the wall and, with Toby's help, plans to reclaim 7th Street for its residents. The legend of the Peacemaker, the man responsible for uniting the Iroquois tribes, is interwoven into the story. The themes of friendship, bullying, and communities working together are explored and developed. This story may need a bit of promotion but it will appeal to readers who enjoy realistic fiction with a touch of fantasy and legend thrown in.–Angela M. Boccuzzi-Reichert, Merton Williams' Middle School, Hilton, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Diane Martineau (New York) lives in Syracuse, the heart of what was once all Iroqois land. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and has taught art in middle and secondary schools. Upon retirement, Martineau set out to write a novel that would involve those who had been so influential in her life: children. Set in Syracuse, her debut young adult book, The Wall on 7th Street, she says, had to be a contemporary fantasy, because she finds the narrow space where the everyday world meets things unknown the most intriguing.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (July 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738707155
• ISBN-13: 978-0738707150
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,918,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FANTASTIC BOOK! Recommended by a kid for all kids., October 2, 2005

By 

Josh Levy - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wall on 7th Street (Paperback)

This is now one of my ALL TIME favorite books! You start it and you won't stop reading until the end. I think that it is a good book for either boys or girls up to about age 15. (I am 14 and loved it, and now my 11 year old brother won't give it back and he usually hates to read.) It talks about things that kids really experience and you can tell that the author really knows kids and respects them. What's best about the book is how great the characters are. They are like real people. I also liked learning about the Indians and thought that having the boy in the book have a friend who is homeless was excellent. It gives you a new perspective on what people experience who are homeless. I think that you see people in that situation differently after you've read the book. I recommend this book to any kid who is looking for a really good book. Or it's a great idea for any adult who is looking for a gift that a kid will really like.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking for a Good Read?, January 2, 2006

By 

Mary Yow "bibliophile" (Washington state) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wall on 7th Street (Paperback)

This captivating story mixes real life with a bit of fantasy. Although it was written for younger audiences, it would be great reading for any age. It was inspiring to see how this young boy didn't want to give up on the difficult situations he faced, but used ingenuity to make things better for the whole neighborhood. I especially enjoyed all the many varied people that Toby meets and his growing friendship with the homeless man, Moe.

The author uses great description, so that I could actually picture the neighborhood and interesting characters. I really wanted Toby to succeed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy reading for all ages, September 13, 2005

By 

Katrina Leathers (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wall on 7th Street (Paperback)

We were given this book, and thought it might be too old for my child, but we read it aloud straight to the end! My 6-yr-old son was impatient to hear it, and my husband and I enjoyed it much more than our usual bedtime reading. It was engaging and truly interesting for all of us. The story is an unusual combination of real-life family issues, urban concerns, and inspiring human connection. Also, elements of Native American history give it more depth. Very worthy reading for anyone from 6 to over 60!