Loud Silence of Francine Green
Shy Francine lives in the McCarthy era, when many people are being punished for speaking up, and she has always stayed in the background--until she finds she must stand up and speak out for what she believes. As topical as today's headlines, this novel will speak directly to young people who are actively taking a stand against injustice, or are feeling that they should.
Francine Green doesn't speak up much, and who can blame her? Her parents aren't interested in her opinions, the nuns at school punish girls who ask too many questions, and the House Committee on Un-American Activities is blacklisting people who express unpopular ideas. There's safety in silence. Francine would rather lose herself in a book, or in daydreams about her favorite Hollywood stars, than risk attracting attention or getting in trouble.
But when outspoken, passionate Sophie Bowman transfers into Francine's class at All Saints School for Girls, Francine finds herself thinking about things that never concerned her before--free speech, the atom bomb, the existence of God, the way people treat each other. Eventually, Francine discovers that she not only has something to say, she is absolutely determined to say it.
Once again, Karen Cushman follows a young woman's progress toward her true self, this time exploring the nature of friendship and the experience of growing up Catholic in an era that is both fascinating and relevant to today's young people.
Target age group 10-12
Francine Green doesn't speak up much, and who can blame her? Her parents aren't interested in her opinions, the nuns at school punish girls who ask too many questions, and the House Committee on Un-American Activities is blacklisting people who express unpopular ideas. There's safety in silence. Francine would rather lose herself in a book, or in daydreams about her favorite Hollywood stars, than risk attracting attention or getting in trouble.
But when outspoken, passionate Sophie Bowman transfers into Francine's class at All Saints School for Girls, Francine finds herself thinking about things that never concerned her before--free speech, the atom bomb, the existence of God, the way people treat each other. Eventually, Francine discovers that she not only has something to say, she is absolutely determined to say it.
Once again, Karen Cushman follows a young woman's progress toward her true self, this time exploring the nature of friendship and the experience of growing up Catholic in an era that is both fascinating and relevant to today's young people.
Target age group 10-12
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CategoryJuvenile Fiction
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Age Group9 to 12 yrs
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Grade Level3-5
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LanguageEnglish
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BindingPaperback
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Theme 1History
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Theme 2Social, Personal & Family Topics
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Detailed (BISAC) Subject/ThemeEmotions & Feelings
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Awards
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AuthorCushman, Karen
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Lexile Level750
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AR Level4.6
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DeweyFiction
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PublisherHoughton Mifflin Harcourt
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Publication Date7/30/2019
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Pages240
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Dimensions0.7 H × 7.6 L × 5.1 W
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Case Qty24
