Stepping on the Cracks

by Mary Downing Hahn

Book Overview

In 1944, when her brother is overseas fighting in World War II, eleven-year-old Margaret changes her mind about the school bully, Gordy, after she discovers he is hiding his own brother, a deserter.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0547076606
• ISBN13: 9780547076607
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Reminds me of stories that my mom told me.

It as well is written, story of WWII of families and communities left in the wake of this time period. Engaging characters, very nostalgic, excellent read.

Great book!

It was a really great read. The characters were well developed and the plot was very interesting. I recommended it to a friend who really enjoyed it as well.

a historical fiction book to go down in history

BOOK REVIEW Have you ever wondered what it must've been like being a teenager during WWII? Do you know what it was like having a brother in the army during the war? If not then read Stepping On the Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn. This is a very interesting historical fiction novel about a thirteen-year-old girl named Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth who are living during the time of WWII. Both Margaret and Elizabeth have brothers fighting in the war. Both girls despise the school bully, Gordy, who in turn despises them, until they uncover one of his darkest secrets. Throughout the story, the girls learn to like Gordy, and help him out, all while risking their lives to help him. If you are just dying to get your hands on a good historical fiction, then this is the book for you. One reason I absolutely loved this book is because the characters relate to me so well, that I can almost imagine that the entire story is happening to me. The characters are just average middle schoolers like myself who like to go on adventures and live on the edge every once in a while, which I think is really cool. An example of something that I can relate to is when a bully at school teases Margaret. I hated it when people used to do that to me, so I know just how she feels. Another key factor in the greatness of this book is the Vocabulary. The author writes this entire book as if she is a new author trying to make a name for herself. Every single detail is described, and described very vividly at that. For example the author turns what could be an ordinary sentence, into something spectacular: The sun emerged from the depths of the night, just like the petals of a rose in bloom. It's sentences like that one that makes this book great to read. The final thing that I have to evaluate on this book is the fact that the author was not afraid to write about what was really happening. She wasn't afraid of telling you how things really went down inside the book. For instance, when she talks about Gordy's father, she is very frank and says that he is an abusive, white trash husband and father. In conclusion, this historical fiction novel is a wonderful piece of literature, and should be enjoyed by all.

The Ravages of War

This is a good book for adults and children to read. It reveals how intolerance of other peoples views can be so harmful. Elizabeth and Margaret start out having a romantic view of the war - both of their brothers are enlisted, but as the book progresses and they are helping a deserter they begin to see a different side of war. Gordy, Doug and Toad terrorize Margaret and Elizabeth - each for their own disturbed reasons, especially Gordy who has problems of his own that he feels responsible for but are too much of a burden for a child to bear. The girls find out a secret that Gordy will do anything to keep. Because of the secret, Elizabeth and Margaret learn more about Gordy and his family than he wants them to know. I think Mary Downing Hahn did a beautiful job of protraying the ravages of war.

Stepping on the Cracks is an AWESOME book!

I love the book Stepping on the Cracks. It is a spectacular book. It is about Elizabeth and Margret and how they come to find out that Gordy is hiding his brother Stuart in the woods away from the army.Also when Margret's brother dies in the war every thing goes wrong except for Stuart asks Barbra to mary him.This a good book for boys and girls ages 9 to 12.

It's an awesome book

I really liked this book. It was about World War 2 times, and I thought that was interesting. It really touches your emotions. I could really understand how the people felt about Hitler. I also wish the book had gone on longer. I believe readers older than 12 would enjoy this book.

One of Mary Downing Hahn's many great books!

A great book for all ages about life during World War II. Elizabeth, Margaret, and Gordy face many problems and solutions the whole way in this great adventure. I could hardly put it down!