The American Adventure Series is one of our favorite series for read-alouds. We are learning so much while being entertained. This book is #40 and we've enjoyed them all up to this point. Set in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the roaring twenties and the Prohibition era, this book touches on more than just bootlegging. The social scene was changing quickly as girls and women began wearing bobbed hairstyles and shorter dresses. Dance marathons took place and advances in flight allowed for the famous first solo flight across the Atlantic by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. In addition to the natural way in which historical events and famous persons are introduced in this series, there are also wonderful moral lessons developed through the characters and plot. This book presents a teenage boy getting his first job, learning to manage his money and balance his time and commitments. His cousin and close friend seems to be hanging out with a different crowd, which has him concerned. Should he intervene? How much intervention is the right amount? Are his suspicions about her friends enough to merit talking to her parents, or should he continue to try reasoning directly with her? Concerns are brought up in a respectful, realistic manner. These books have held the attention of my 3 boys very well despite them ranging from early to late elementary. I'm not bored when I read them, and I read a lot of kids' literature! |
Another portion of the plot has potential to be scary to some children because a girl is kidnapped by the bootleggers. She'd gone to talk to a friend about whether he was involved, heard "too much" about their activities and was brought along to a shed while they consulted their boss. While it was mentioned in a non-graphic way that the kidnappers considered she may not survive, it was impressively NOT a suspenseful portion of the book. A rescuer is nearby the whole time she's being kidnapped, which we as the audience are aware of. She is able to escape unharmed with his help and this occurs within a 1-2 chapter span so you can easily read straight through the conflict to a resolution in one sitting so your kids aren't left in suspense. (I read at bedtime so this is quite important for us!)
I appreciate the positive themes this book had of looking out for others, taking responsibility for your actions in a conflict, continuing to care for and invest in a friendship even when things are difficult, being responsible with what company and activities you choose as a teen away from your parents, showing interest in what others care about, choosing to pursue your hobbies, and being able to prioritize in decision making.