Spitfire by Evan Balkan

Summary

Baltimore, 1952 

With her father fighting in the Korean War, bigotry in her school, and the desire to play a “boy’s sport,” one girl struggles to find her place in the world.

Caroline Panski harbors one dream: to play ice hockey. But, as the neighborhood boys―and her mother―tell her: Boys play hockey; girls figure skate. Caroline, however, refuses to give up, and she navigates her world with determination. Knowing that her beloved father is fighting for freedom far away in Korea saddens her but also gives her strength. And when her school is integrated and she develops a crush on an African- American student, she will need strength and courage to stand up to her classmates just to be his friend. In the end, Caroline’s is a difficult and imperfect world, but one that allows for moments of triumph and friendship. 

My Thoughts

I am having such conflicting feelings on this book!  I'm in a real struggle.  In some ways this book was really good.  In others, well, that where the struggle comes in.

Remember, these are just my thoughts.  My opinions and mine alone.  Let me explain why I'm struggling.  Ok....

So the book begins with Caroline desperately wanting to go outside to play hockey.  She's not allowed at the time because of the weather.  No big deal, no drama.  But then the story gets a sad feeling when it talks about her father being gone in the war.  Once again, that is expected.

Now, sometime in the second chapter the story gets into black people beginning to come into the "white" schools.  It gets super real and harsh from this point on!  I don't want to give spoilers but I will say that the "n" words is in the book a lot!  And, while I do recognize that this word was said a lot back in those days, this is 2019 and this is a middle grade book!  I wouldn't want my middle grade child reading this word over and over!

Spitfire is not a short book.  It is almost 350 pages long.  And let me say that nothing positive or happy happened until probably the last 50 pages or so!  As a matter of fact, there are at least 10 things that are horribly sad in this book!  I just find that to be a bit heavy for a middle grade book.  I cried, like majorly cried, a few different times while reading this.

If this book was an adult novel or even a YA I might feel different, but this is for young kids!  I'd say ages 8-12.  I just really feel like the subject matter and the words that were used are way too much for that age group.  For that reason I am giving this book a 2.5 stars.  I hate that but that's just how I feel.  It made me feel so sad and I just think that's a lot of emotion for a child to deal with when reading a book.

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.