Joshua's Song

Rating:
Summary: I liked this book because I thought it was exciting
Review: 1919, Boston, Massachusetts. Life's been very hard lately for 13-year-old Joshua Harper. First and worst, he lost his father to the influenza epidemic. He also can't sing in the Boston Boys' Choir anymore because his voice has changed and now he will have to quit school to support his family. Not fair at all!

Joshua begins working for Charlestown Charlie, a mean and tough Irish boy. He also becomes a story hunter for Mr. Muggeridge, a new boarder at his house. Mr. Muggeridge wants to put street stories into the newspaper. Soon, though, Joshua runs into trouble with Charlestown Charlie and the Beacon Boys. Everything about his new existence on the street is in danger.

Joshua had a lot of courage and determination when he quit school and tried to find a job to help his family. I also thought he had a lot of bravery because he tried to save a woman's life when a terrible explosion occurred. If I would have been Joshua, I would have done the same things he did, but I would have tried to find a way to get the rest of my education.

I liked this book because I thought it was exciting --- I never knew what was going to happen next! How does Joshua come to find his voice, his song, and his place in the new world during a terrible crisis? Read this book to find out!

(...)

Rating:
Summary: Joshua's Song
Review: A boy named Joshua Harper used to sing good, until his father died. He had to quit school, and singing, so he could find a job to support his mom, and himself. At that moment everything stunk in his life. Even worse, one day on his way to find a job he missed his train stop! When he got off the very next stop he bumped into a paperboy. He ended up getting a job selling papers. Joshua got a long well inhis new job, and made friends with a papergirl, whose mother was very sick. She had to quit working and watch her sisters, for her mom. Joshua tries to help her, but one day when he tried to visit her, the big molasses tank blew up! Joshua tries to save his friends mom, but is it too later? Why is it called Joshua's song? Read the story to find out!

Rating:
Summary: It Fizzes
Review: genre: historical fiction
setting: Boston, 1919
artifacts: Influenza epidemic, Boston Molasses Spill

It is the inconsistency of the characterization and the uneventful outcome which makes the book "fizz." The flaws here are significant.

Setting and artifacts are highly engrossing. The afterward is historically helpful for background.

I believe boys can be snared into reading this book in a group setting. The protagonist is courageous, assertive, and takes the place of his deceased father.



Rating:
Summary: Joshua's Song By:Blake Sapp
Review: I have just finished reading Joshua's Song. This is truly one of the best - more likely THE BEST book I've read in a long time. The innocence and goodness of Joshua in this story impressed me tremendously. I loved how he struggled to help his dying companion, and in his 13-year-old inexperience and fear, sang that beautiful and uplifting hymn to his Catholic friend. Obviously he struggled with the question "what should I do for her? How can I comfort her?" He couldn't bring a priest into the crumbling house, nor could he perform the last rites. The only gift he could give the dying woman was his song, which was lovely and strengthening for people of any religious background. (Who could find fault with The Good Shepherd?") When his friend, Charlie, said, "You did the right thing," it brought tears to my eyes.
From a literary standpoint, it was necessary to get Josh to sing again, and this maneuver worked beautifully.
This story rises above the ordinary. It excels with compassion and a strong character who makes difficult but wise choices. The historical background of 1919 during trying times will help today's kids identify and hopefully as they cheer for Joshua, they too will make decisions in their lives to "do the right thing."


Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful book!
Review: This book is about a boy named Jousha who loses his father and has to quit school and work. While he was looking for a job he ran into a boy named Charleston Charlie who works for the BOSTON TRAVELER. Charlie asked Josh to join and it was very competitive since they met.

Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful book!
Review: This is an excellent book! I would definitly recommend this book to a friend. I would also definitly also read it again! I really enjoyed this book.