francine green

I just finished The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Cushman, and found that my opinion varied from most of the reviewing sources. Booklist and SLJ gave this book starred reviews, but sometimes I wonder if a book is by a notable author, has a good premise and some shining moments; if that's not the formula for giving a book a starred review. I just did n't think this book merited the praise it received.

The premise of the book is terrific for current event studies. It is so closely linked with the current climate concerning Arabs, war objectors, and religion it almost seems too easy a comparison. The McCarthy era must have been a very worrisome time for children, just as the post 9/11 world is.
I also find the dialogue of the book to be very natural and funny. Francine's insights into the teenage world of her sister, the frightened world of her brother, and the stand-offish position of her father are well drawn. I had some confusion with her mother though. The mother appears to be going through some sort of change in the book, but I don't really understand why.

The biggest complaint I have about the book is the sloppy, simple ending. Francine is a supposedly timid and go-along-to-get-along sort of girl. She befriends a girl who is decidedly the opposite. Sophie denounces the hunt for communists, questions the nuns at their Catholic school, and wants nothing to do with boys. When the time comes for Francine to pull out her courage and become her own person to defend Sophie, the book abruptly ends. There are too many questions left unanswered.

Children's books need n't tie up every loose end. The reader should be expected to come to some of their own conclusions. But the climax came at the end of the book, in fact, the last page. It could even be argued at the last sentence. The world and characters that had been drawn before this were not vivid enough for me to feel like I could decide what they would do. I felt like I got half the story.

Oh Well, that's just my opinion. Maybe you liked it? Tell me why; was I missing something?

Dana