Good-bye, Billy Radish

By Gloria Skurzynski

Book Overview

This is the poignant story of the friendship between two boys, Hank Kerner and Bazyli Radichevych, called Billy Radish, set in the steel town of Canaan, Pennsylvania, in 1917. Thge boys are very different, for while Hank considers himself all-American, Billy is a Ukrainian immigrant straddling two cultures. As World War I rages overseas, both boys are faced with some difficult questions.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0027829219
• ISBN13: 9780027829211
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.8" x 6.3"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Good-Bye Billy Radish Review :)

Good-Bye Billy Radish is a great book of many mixed emotions, i thought it was one of the best books i have ever read, it`s about a boy named Hank who was never very liked, but once a Russian boy by the name of Bayzli Radevechi moves to his small town of Kenaan Pennsylvenia that`s when Hank gets a great friend, while doing all these things he gives Bayzli the nick-name of Billy Radish which everyone calls him..... i wont give away the rest because this book is full of surprises. i recomend it to anybody. :)

Good-Bye BillyRadish

Good-Bye Billy Radish was about a ten-year-old boy named Hank Kerner. He lives in a town where all the men work in a steel mill once they turn fourteen. He is not so popular, so he gets picked on alot and he has no friends. He was so happy when he found out that they were getting a new student,his name was Blazyli Radichevych also known as Billy Radish. They later became best friends. Billy Radish is from a different country, Hank was thinking why would anyone want to come to the little town of Canaan, Pennsylvania. I did like this book. I thought it was very neat how a writer would write about a young boy in a small town durring the time of World War I. I would recommend this book. if you are a person who likes to read a book with lots of description this is a good book for you. To know more about this book go to your local library and check it out today!

superb characterizations, riveting historical fiction

It's been a long time since any book, adult or child's, has moved me to this extent. The relationships portrayed were complex, with multi-faceted and often conflicting feelings the rule rather than the exception. The portrayals of the two boys coming of age and of their friendship were sensitive and dead on accurate. Fascinating and sometimes unsettling historical fact and cultural detail were seamlessly integrated into the story line.