"Fire it up" for friendship, fun, adventure, mystery, and courage that fill the pages of Scary Spring: Our Polio Fright of 1955. Like the Indian-head hood ornament on Aunt Jean's Pontiac Chieftain car that leads the way down dark and scary streets, Pete leads his friend, Carol Ann, on fun and frightening adventures. The two eleven-year-olds play fast-paced games of Hide and Seek, Hot Potato, and Jump Rope. They confront their polio vaccine fears then hunt for tasty treats like homemade cookies or Popsicles from the ice cream man. When they befriend a runaway white, tan, and black beagle puppy then spy on its owner, "mean, old Mr. Chester," things get really exciting! Mr. Chester's crooked body leans like a broken branch. Is he a monster? Did polio cripple his legs and heart? Will the puppy ever be safe with him? Pete, Carol Ann, and Hey Pup hide from Mr. Chester and listen to the teens next door as they "hop up" their hot rods while rock 'n' roll tunes swirl through their El Monte, California neighborhood. Words like "cool," "boss," "Dan's Diner," "Route 66," and "let's split this scene" flow freely. But when Ernie punches it in his '32 Ford Highboy and races toward a block wall, can his car named Wild Panther and its passengers survive? As the ravaging affects of the poliovirus present themselves, will these two All-American kids be able to overcome this deadly disease? "Like wow," Pete and Carol Ann learn that courage as well as friendship, family, and faith are important allies in their world. Ages eight and up will be thrilled and encouraged by this fast-paced, historical-fiction chapter book.
Hartnell spent her grammar school years during the 1950s in El Monte, California, home of American Legion Stadium where rock 'n' roll and cool cars thrived and multiplied. She's the proud owner of Hawk's Ride, a 1937 Ford Slantback hot rod with a chopped-top and painted flames. Hartnell is a board member of Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital in Southern California and has authored five activity books for them. She's written articles for the Guild's newsletter and the hospital's TODAY in-house newspaper. Author Hartnell belongs to four writers' organizations: SCBWI-Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, IBPA-Independent Book Publishers Association, ACWA-American Christian Writers Association, and Writer's Institute, Inc. She lives with her husband in the Southwest United States and has four grown children who have blessed her with twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Like Wow and No Surprise, Hartnell desires to entertain plus encourage readers of all ages, especially Baby Boomers and those touched by polio.
