Customer Reviews

New York's Bravest

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4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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I had the honor of hearing Mary Pope Osborne read this story to a room full of fellow librarians at the Texas Library Association Convention in Dallas this past April. I have never been so moved. As the lights were raised at the end of the reading/slide show of illustrations, there was not a dry eye in the room. The book is a moving, stirring tribute to the fireman heroes of 9/11 and of all time. I made the comment to the weeping librarian who was seated on my right that I would never be able to read the story orally because I would not be able to do it without breaking down. The story of Mose is a truly wonderful one. No, I will not give you a step by step detail of what the story says, but I will tell you that you will never forget the last page. I know I never will.

My students were completely enthralled by this story of bravery and sacrifice. This book touched all our hearts. Mary Pope Osborne's retelling of the Mose tall tale evokes humor and empathy. Mose is a firefight whose strength and courage has saved countless lives. One night they go out on a call to fight a fire at a hotel. Mose works all night carrying people out of the hotel to safety. In the morning as the firefighters wind up their hoses to go home they realize Mose is not there. One of the firemen asks "Where's Mose?"

When I read this story,I pause there to let the implications of that question sink in. As it does, the listeners' expressions are so moving. I hear whispers of "Oh no!" If you can get through the rest of the book without a a choking voice you are made of sterner stuff than I.

We are all grateful that there is a little bit of Mose in every firefighter who climbs a ladder "toward a blazing sky."

This isn't a focus on 9/11 but a survey of firefighting in the 1840s and the heroism of one of the bravest, Mose Humphreys. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's paintings of old New York bring this biography to life in this exploration of a well-known American tall tale.

"New York's Bravest" combines text by Mary Pope Osborne with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The book begins with a historical note in which Osborne describes the background of her tale. In 1848, a heroic firefighter character first began appearing in stage productions. This character was based on a real-life New York City firefighter named Mose Humphreys. In 1915, historian Herbert Asbury included some Mose stories in two collections of stories about old New York. As Osborne observes, firefighter Mose is "America's first urban folk hero."

Osborne's story takes place in a past era where newsboys sold papers for a penny each. The story's hero is Mose, an eight foot tall firefighter with superhuman strength. Sample text: "'Come on boys!' said Mose. Mose was the most famous firefighter in New York City."

The story is well enhanced by colorful illustrations that are full of great details. There are some exciting firefighting scenes, as well as some nice pictures of Mose engaged in less dangerous pursuits (such as eating a hearty meal).

The book has the following dedication: "To the memory of the 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others on September 11, 2001." It's a beautiful tribute that I recommend to readers of all ages.

Chilren and adults alike will enjoy this tall tale about an American Hero. Very appropriate for Patriots' Day!

What child isn't fascinated by firefighters and their bright shiny engines and trucks? Fighting fires is so clearly a heroic occupation that the men and women who do so rank with cartoon superheros in a child's imagination. These are people who routinely risk their own lives pursuing one of the world's most dangerous professions to save the lives of others.

This book is dedicated to the memory of those firefighters who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on 11 September 2001, and what a beautiful tribute it is. The story of Mose, a larger-than-life character similar to Paul Bunyon, reflects the long history of fire fighting in New York. It shows us the true spirit of firefighters everywhere, and reminds us of the dangers of the job (even Mose can't escape!). The illustrations are gorgeous, and help make this a truly memorable memorial to those who dedicate their lives to helping others.

Move over, Paul Bunyan, there's a new tall-tale hero in town.

Well, not exactly a new hero.

In the New York City of the 1840s lived a legendary firefighter named Mose Humphreys. Standing eight feet tall, with "hands as big as Virginia hams," he fought fires all around the great city, striding towards danger with his flaming red hair under his stovepipe hat. Whether rescuing babies from flaming tenements or bankers from burning hotels, Mose was beloved by all New Yorkers for his bravery and selflessness.

Mary Pope Osborne's story, in true American folktale tradition, renders a loving portrait of a man who symbolizes all that we respect and admire in firefighters: courage, willing sacrifice, tireless service to others. These traits were never so dramatically demonstrated as they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, and the story is a fitting tribute to the 343 New York City firefighters lost on that tragic day.

Though dedicated to the memory of modern firefighters, the gritty tones of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's illustrations remind us that this is also a tale about firefighting in a city overcrowded with wood-framed buildings and illuminated by oil lamps, when water had to be physically pumped out of tank trucks with enough force to reach the upper floors of very modest buildings, and when firemen needed the strength to carry grown adults rung by rung down wooden ladders. The nineteenth century was a time when fire was a very real possibility, not an unfortunate occurrence that happens to others and played out on our TV screens.

Together, the text and illustrations bring Mose Humphreys to life brilliantly, and make him a potent symbol of the strength, valor, and sacrifice of all firefighters--in New York City and around the world...

"...Mose was the most famous firefighter in New York City. Eight feet tall, Mose had hands as big as Virginia hams. His arms were so strong he could swim the Hudson River in two strokes. When others ran away from danger, Mose ran toward it." Mary Pope Osborne brings the fantastic, and ever-growing legend of 1840s firefighter, Mose Humphreys to life, in this picture book dedicated "to the memory of the 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others on September 11, 2001." Mose was a larger than life hero and "...everyone knew if they ever needed help, they could count on Mose." One night, a hotel fire near the Hudson River raged out of control, and Mose spent hours running in and out of the building saving everyone. But as the sun came up, and the firefighters packed their equipment, no one could find Mose. Hopefully, they waited, but Mose never returned..... Ms Osborne's engaging text is both exciting and touching. Illustrators, Steve Johnson's and Lou Fancher's lush and bold artwork captures the text beautifully, and is rich in expressive, eye-catching detail. Together, word and art paint a marvelously entertaining tall tale that is relevant to the events of the past year. And as the weeks and months passed, finally an old timer "put the matter to rest." "...Mose is right here. He's marchin' with us in our parades. He's kickin' up his heels at our fancy dances. He's skating by moonlight on the ice pond in the park. And whenever we climb our ladders toward a blazing sky, he climbs with us. Whenever we save folks, he saves them, too. You see, that firefighter-he'll never leave us. He's the very spirit of New York City." Perfect for youngsters 4-8, New York's Bravest is an inspiring tribute, not just to the firefighters of 9/11, but to all the men and women who put their lives on the line daily, to ensure the safety of others, and is sure to open interesting and important discussions.

Wow. I can hardly believe this book was written in 2002. It portrays women as helpless and it shows them baking pies to thank the men for their hard work. Yes, it is a tribute to the firemen in NYC and I appreciate them tremendously, but how about including some thanks to the firewomen in NYC too! I'm not in any way a feminist, but this book is quite blatant in its sexism. Teachers and Librarians, I urge you to make sure you have plenty of books that contain strong girls and women working in strong jobs if you consider also adding this book to your collection.

The author also refers to people who are homeless as "ragmen." The illustrators have painted a ragged-looking older man who looks unkempt and has a toe sticking out of his shoe giving Mose his "least ragged" jacket.

The end of this story also leaves something lacking as (SPOILER ALERT) Mose simply disappears and people make up stories of his whereabouts, but no one really knows. This is a very unresolved ending for a children's book.