The First Decade: Curtain

The book has so much action and excitment. Curtain Going up is about Peggy, Jack, Harry and her mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, Aunt Maud,etc. The reason I liked this book is because there was so much adventures in it. President Roosevelt was even their friend!

Young readers ages 9-12 will connect immedaitely with this book. It starts at the turn of the century - 1899! Readers can easily relate and remember where they were at the turn of the 21st century. It provides an immediate connection with the characters in the book. The story is easy to follow. The characters are members of an extended family. A helpful family tree with photographs and dates makes it easy to "see" the characters as they are mentioned and keep the family members organized. I like the way the authors casually throw in historical items, figures, and inventions from the period 1899 - 1903. Sketches and photographs of horse drawn fire wagons, a gramophone, automobiles, and an ice cream freezer support the text. The book does not go into depth on these historical things and people. It did however, peak my curiosity to find out more. I found myself researching on my own! A visit from President Teddy Roosevelt shows how this U.S. President as a real person and father and not only a world leader. The family is a wealthy family of actors but this status is downplayed. This is a great book for young readers to find out what life was like for children in one family at the turn of the last century - a mere 100 years ago. Teachers will find this book a great read aloud to make this period in history more realistic.