Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me

Author: Marino, Nan

Edition: Illustrated

Format: Illustrated

Number Of Pages: 176

Details:

A tender story about a tough-as-nails girl forced to take one small step towards understanding during the summer of 1969. "Muscle Man McGinty is a squirrelly runt, a lying snake, and a pitiful excuse for a ten-year old......the problem is that no one knows it but me. In the entire town of Massapequa Park, only I can see him for what he really is. A phony." Tamara Ann Simpson is determined to expose Muscle Man McGinty, a foster boy new to her neighborhood, for the liar that she knows he is. Muscle Man tells the other kids his uncle is Neil Armstrong and he even has the audacity to challenge the entire block to a kickball game. So, why is Tamara the only one who can see through this kid? It's the summer of 1969 and things are changing in Tamara's little town of Massapequa, Long Island, and in the world. Perhaps Tamara can take one small step towards a bit of compassion and understanding.

Reviews:

“It is rare to have a story told with sympathy from the viewpoint of a bully. This debut novel, set in upstate New York in the summer of 1969, does just that with wit and a light touch that never denies the story's sorrows.” ―Starred, Booklist

“Marino paints a detailed portrait of the seeming gulf that surrounds a person after loss and the surprising companionship one discovers in the face of desolation.” ―Starred, School Library Journal

“A lovingly portrayed look at life during a memorable time in American history; it deserves to be on your child's summer reading list.” ―BookPage

“Marino's novel brings a true voice to the pre-teenage girl of the 1960s. Tamara is both lovable and naïve, yet Marino creates a strong young woman who is set in her principles and unrelenting in achieving justice during a historic summer in America.” ―ALAN Online

“The authenticity of the time and the voice combine with a poignant plot to reveal a depth unusual in such a straightforward first-person narrative.” ―Kirkus Reviews

About the Author:

NAN MARINO spent her childhood daydreaming in oak trees and on garage roofs. She did come down to earth for an occasional game of kickball. She lives at the Jersey shore, with her husband (who has long been obsessed with the 1969 moon landing), and a very hyper dog. Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me is her first book. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter 1The Blizzard of ’69Muscle Man McGinty is a squirrelly runt, a lying snake, and a pitiful excuse for a ten-year-old. The problem is that no one on Ramble Street knows it but me. In the entire town of Massapequa Park, only I see him for what he really is. A phony.Knowing the truth when others fail to see it is hard on a person. That’s because the truth has a way of seeping under your skin and wrapping itself around you, like a coiled-up Slinky.You know that tinny sound a Slinky makes? Shink. Shink. Shink.Sometimes I hear it creeping around inside my brain. The closer I get to Muscle Man, the louder it gets. When he’s standing right next to me spewing out his whoppers, that Slinky inside me goes crazy.SHINK! SHINK! SHINK!You can only imagine my headaches. I’ve even named the really big ones “Muscle Men” after the cause of all my problems.Personally, I think it’s funny to name your pain, but the others on Ramble Street never get my humor. Even Big Danny, who can laugh at dead teacher jokes, fails to see the comedy.“Jeez, Tamara,” he huffs. “The kid only moved here a few weeks ago. Can’t you give him a break?” He kicks his foot at the side of the curb.“Jeez yourself,” is all I think of saying back.Big Danny turns his back on me, and I turn my back on him. We are both standing at the corner of Ramble Street, each one staring in the opposite direction. Neither one of us will give up our spot on the sidewalk because the ice cream truck is about to come around for the first time this season.It is an important day. Ice cream trucks mean summer is here. No mo...

EAN: 9780312665487

Release Date: 18-09-2012

Languages: English

Item Condition: New

Binding: Paperback