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What Members Thought
It's the summer of '69, but we're not talking Woodstock--we're talking kickball, Neil Armstrong, and the ice cream man. Our narrator, Tamara, has just finished the fifth grade. She's unhappy because her best friend has suddenly moved away and in her place a runty, mendacious boy nicknamed Muscle Man has moved in. Sadly, she takes her frustration out on poor Muscle Man, who smiles through all her bullying like a love-hungry puppy who doesn't know any better.
I think we're used to hearing stories ...more
I think we're used to hearing stories ...more
This one took me back to the summers of my childhood. Tamara feels abandoned when her best friend Kebsie abruptly moves away. The odd kid out in the neighborhood gang, Tamara takes out her hurt on the kid who now occupies Kebsie's house, a skinny, brash, sunny kid who Tamara calls "Muscle Man". MM has a habit of telling whoppers that drives Tamara crazy. Worse, she seems to be the only one cheezed off by this kid--for some reason, the rest of the neighborhood gang lets his "stories' slide. Every
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Muscle Man McGinty is a liar, but no one else on the block seems to notice. Tamara, however, is not fooled. She's had enough of Muscle Man's whoppers, and it's time to show everyone just what kind of kid he is. During one lonely summer in 1969 Tamara comes to terms with the loss of her best friend, and the rotten liar who took her place in the foster home across the street, as well as the consequences of a faraway war, and an even further away moon mission.
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The story takes place during the first moon landing. Tamara, a tough little girl, has her summer upset when her best friend moves away and a scrawny boy moves in next door. This is something Tamara just can't forgive him for. Tamara’s dysfunctional family is pretty fun, but the best part of the book is the title.
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A funny, touching, and kind of quirky read. While it takes place in 1969, you don't have to be a fan of typical historical fiction to enjoy it. Recommend to kids grade 4 and up.
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4.5
I liked this very much, but I worry that my students won't like it as well. The message is timeless, even with the 60s background and that of course will be the appeal for the kids.
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LOVED IT!
Jul 25, 2009
Michelle
marked it as to-read
Aug 02, 2009
Elisabeth
marked it as to-read
Dec 05, 2009
Barbara
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Mar 04, 2010
Kathryn
marked it as to-read
Mar 13, 2011
Jodi
marked it as to-read
May 07, 2012
Cori Grady
marked it as to-read
