Above and Beyond - Hardcover

Bonners, Susan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374300186 ISBN 13: 9780374300180

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2001

Synopsis

An old secret is revealed and an unusual friendship forged.

Jerry has an easy time coming up with a topic for an oral report on local history -- his subject will be his favorite cousin, Charles. Jerry remembered hearing a story many years ago: Charles used his rock-climbing skills to rescue a five-year-old girl and became a celebrated hero in the community. Jerry researches the event on microfilm at the library and visits the commemorative plaque at the rescue site, but he quickly realizes that a firsthand account would be the best resource of all. He does some detective work and is able to track down the girl, now grown up and living in a town not too far away. But when Jerry hears her version of the incident, one odd detail doesn't seem to fit. As he gets closer to solving the mystery, it becomes apparent that the story coincidentally involves Danny, a classmate with whom Jerry's been forging a tentative friendship. When Jerry ultimately uncovers the truth, its impact is greater than anyone could have imagined.

About this title

About the Author

Susan Bonners is the author and illustrator of numerous books for children, including Edwina Victorious and The Silver Balloon, which won the Christopher Award. She lives in Roslindale, Massachusetts.

Reviews

Gr 5-7-When Jerry is given an assignment to come up with an oral-history topic, he chooses to interview his much older cousin Charles, who once rescued a young girl from a cliff. Through his investigations, Jerry uncovers the true events of that day, including the part played by his new friend Danny's then on-the-lam uncle, and he must wrestle with the impact his discoveries will have on both families. While the story revolves around uncovering the truth of a long-ago incident, it is also about a protagonist trying to forge a new friendship with a boy who doesn't understand its give-and-take nature, and may shake up some readers' preconceived notions of who can and can't be a hero. An unpredictable story with interesting characters.

Sarah O'Neal, Salt Lake County Library System, UT

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0374300186
• ISBN 13: 9780374300180
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160