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I really really liked this book! I really want to read the next one ASAP. It's a documentary novel set in 1962, Camp Springs, Maryland outside of D.C, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I didn't really learn much about the Cuban Missile Crisis in history or social studies throughout my schooling. In fact I'm fairly certain I didn't know about it until my college years. I did know just about all the song references! I credit that because of exposure to "oldies" growing up, being raised by my grandma. She was in her teens and early 20s in the 1960s. These songs were her music. I actually think Mamaw would really enjoy this book series too.

I read this aloud to my niece, Payton (10 years old). She could obviously read this herself but I still enjoy reading to her at night, and I'll continue to do it as long as she allows me to. She had bought the 3rd book in this series (Anthem) at the scholastic book fair, but you cannot just read a 3rd book without reading the first two books! So we found this one at the local library. They have the 2nd book there also.

Even though the book is a historical fiction, set in a society rather different from the one in which she's living and growing up now, I do think Payton could relate to the personal relationships in the book. Even though some things change, themes of adolescence haven't. Franny Chapman, the main character, had a best friend, and there was some drama between them. These things happen in friendships today too. Betrayal of a friend, family secrets, being embarrassed, getting overlooked, having a crush... All these things still happen to kids today. That's what makes it relatable to children who read it.