KID BLINK BEATS THE WORLDby Don Brown (Roaring Brook)
In 1899, it was not uncommon for boys to work as "newsies," peddling the consignment copies of newspapers published by millionaires Hearst and Pulitzer. When those magnates decided to charge an extra penny against their workers' wages, this was more than the little boys could bear. "I'm trying to figure how ten cents on a hundred papers can mean more to a millionaire than it does to newsboys," Kid Blink tried to figure. "If they can't spare it, how can we?" So begins the wa r between the newsies and the moguls, and a war it is, complete with protests, battles, leaders and ploys, many led by surprisingly articulate and earnest children. Peppery dialects and sobering history help to bring this early union battle to life in sepia tones. You wouldn't go wrong to share every one of Don Brown's wonderful picture book biographies with children, always affecting, but this one packs a special punch. Youths of our day will surely be inspired by Kid Blink's righteous indignation and awed by his bravery…can you imagine a child speaking his heart to a mob of five thousand? It was done. (6 and up)
1 comment:
the newsboys are my pride and joy. i look up to them, and i wish i was there to witness kidblinks' speaches. they are my favorite part of history, the greatest thing the kids of America has ever done!i just love them so much, and i know their watching over me helping me through tough times. those boys helped me become more brave.i will always cherish my love for those boys in my heart.
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