THE LOUD SILENCE OF FRANCINE GREEN (FICTION)

FICTION
THE LOUD SILENCE OF FRANCINE GREEN by Karen Cushman (Clarion)

Newbery winning-author of THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE and CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY is back in her forté of historical fiction, this time during the McCarthy Era of the 1950's when intellectuals and artists were widely targeted as Communist threats during a modern-day witch hunt. Francine, however, is caught up in her own tweenager world, living down the street from a Hollywood studio and dreaming of a glamorous life, of dreamboat actor Montgomery Clift, of a motion-picture-perfect family. Unfortunately, she is trapped in the body of a shy thirteen-year-old who goes out of her way to stay out of trouble inestead of seeking any adevnture or attention. When saucy, risk-taking Sophie Bowman transfers in to her sleepy class at All Saints School For Girls, the wide world comes rushing in, and Francine stops watching from the sidelines. Is Sophie a bad influence, as the nuns say, or just what Francine needs to understand that sometime not saying anything is the same as speaking up for the wrong side? This chapter in American history is a perfect backdrop for a girl coming in to her own, and darn afraid of it. The best part about the book is the complex friendship story, acknowledging that the people we encounter can really change us, and our path, even as children. The best part about the book, though, is the believable and plucky heroine, as only Cushman can do. She has the gift of making girls of today wish they could pull characters out of their timelines and call them "best friend." (11 and up)

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