After the Depression and the Dust Bowl, Reuben's family became financially devastated, causing his father to join a traveling show as a wingwalker to put food on the family's table, in a tale about life on the country fair circuit. 40,000 first printing.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Brian Selznick is the remarkable illustrator of many books for children, including The Doll People, a 2000 Notable Children’s Book; Barnyard Prayers by Laura Godwin; Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan; and The Houdini Box, winner of the 1991 Texas Bluebonnet Award, which he also wrote.
*Starred Review* Gr. 3-5. Wells shows she can paint as well with words as she can with color in this evocative story set during the Depression. Unlike his father, a dance instructor whose head is in the clouds, Reuben, almost eight, doesn't like the idea of flying, A winning ticket at the 1933 Oklahoma Air Races entitles him to a ride in the sky with a stunt flyer, and Reuben hates every minute. When the dust starts swirling through Oklahoma, and jobs, such as dance instructor, blow into the wind, Reuben and his family wait and worry--until Father sees an ad for a carnival wing walker. The family moves to Minnesota, where dusty fields are replaced by a thousand lakes, and the homogeneous population of Ambler, Oklahoma, a community with a tattooed lady, a fire eater, and a father who dances the Tango on the wings of an airplane. And one day, to his amazement, so does Reuben. This is a beautifully crafted book. Wells has chosen her words with precision ("I would forever cut a little diamond of disappointment in my father's heart"), and great care has been taken with the book design: the pages are thick, cream-colored paper, and the type is elegant yet readable. As fine as the text are Selznick's insightful Norman Rockwell-like pictures, brushed with Oklahoma dust. The rectangular pictures, placed against bare, buff-colored backgrounds, seem like windows that look backward to a time when life was different but hearts were the same. Ilene Cooper
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Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). 1st Edition. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP98449711
Quantity: 3 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). Very Good. Seller Inventory # 00082950651
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.05. Seller Inventory # G078682347XI4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.05. Seller Inventory # G078682347XI4N10
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.05. Seller Inventory # G078682347XI4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.05. Seller Inventory # G078682347XI3N10
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_390082899
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Betty Mittendorf /Tiffany Power BKSLINEN, Ralston, NE, U.S.A.
Pictorial Cover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Brian Selznick (illustrator). First Edition. Color illust on cover and dj. Dj laminated. During the Depression, Reuben and his out-of-work parents move from Oklahoma to Minnesota, where his father gets a job as a carnival wingwalker and Reuben has a chance to overcome his terror of flying. Int. good. Color illust. 63 pages. Usual library markings. Seller Inventory # 130874B
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: B-Line Books, Amherst, NS, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Illustrated by Brian Selznick (illustrator). First Edition; First Printing. Tight unmarked book in illustrated boards with pinprick to one corner. ; 10.1 X 7.1 X 0.9 inches. Seller Inventory # 58814
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Bud Plant & Hutchison Books, Cedar Ridge, CA, U.S.A.
Library Binding. Condition: As New. Selznick, Brian (illustrator). 1st ed. 1st ptg., large 8vo, matte pictorial boards, publisher's library binding. In the Great Depression, a young boy's family relocates from Oklahoma to Minnesota for his father's new job dancing on airplane wings. Fine in fine, unclipped dj, no previous owner's marks. Seller Inventory # 20258
Quantity: 1 available