Chig and the Second Spread

by Gwenyth Swain

Being small is a big concern for Chig Kalpin. Like the insects that catch folks unawares with their bites on a summer evening, Chig is small enough and silent enough that she’s near about invisible. But she has a heartfelt desire to become a big person, both in stature and in spirit, and soon her adventures culminate with the Great Niplak Train Disaster, where she helps the folks in the hills and hollers of southern Indiana make it through the Great Depression with a little more to spread between the covers of their sandwiches. Haven’t heard of it? Well, as Chig might say, “Set a spell and turn the page.”


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Childrens

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chig Kalpin is no bigger than the chiggers that plague the people of southern Indiana but she's deemed big enough to go to school by the age of 8. Chig reluctantly enters school and finds a kindred spirit in her teacher, who is much too big for her name. Chig dreams of writing her name in big letters like FDR and WPA someday, but can such a little girl live up to such big dreams? Chig also has to endure taunts from the bigger boys and watch them lie and cheat their way to the top of the playground pack. Only Will is sympathetic and kind. Still, Chig dreams of growing and she and Will set out to find out the secret. When she discovers that the Depression has hit her area hard, she realizes some kids have bigger problems than she does. Chig sets out to find a solution and discovers that anyone, no matter how small, can make a difference.

This is a sweet little story. It's very episodic and there's not a whole lot of plot until almost the end. The story takes place over the worst years of the Great Depression, just as FDR started the New Deal. The Depression is more in the background for most of the book. Chig lives in the country and it's clear that everyone is poor but it becomes more clear just how the Depression is affecting her town later on. I would have liked less exposition and more plot but I really liked the story. It's cute and inspiring. The descriptions of southern Indiana are very good and I think young readers will get an excellent idea of what the area looks like, especially the mud. I enjoyed the local color aspect a lot.

Chig is a great little heroine, much like Miri in Princess Academy. She has dreams bigger than she is and she's smart enough to figure out how to solve her problems. Her concern for her classmates is very sweet and touching. I loved her relationship with her teacher and how her teacher quietly guided Chig to be her best. Her actions in the pivotal scene are incredible and what happens next typically only happens in novels but it was a nice ending to the story.

I would definitely recommend this to readers small and not so small (8+).

[Angela Kinnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about a tiny girl in a big world. Uplifting plot of overcoming a physical limitation with a big heart and strong ambition to be everything you can be.

[Azura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, before you mark this on your to-read list, take note that this book isn't in print anymore. I don't know how many are currently in existence, but I had to read this in school to read it at all.
This was a really good book and I'd recommend it to any fan of historical fiction. The only reason why I gave it three stars was because I just don't really like historical fiction. I really enjoyed the book nonetheless, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I can see how a multitude of people would absolutely love it and I highly recommend it. :)

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

After teaching fourth grade and experiencing Indiana history, any historical fiction book about the state interests me. Thus far it has good voice and dialogue. Written in a 700 lexile.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book about a petite nine year old in the depression and how she helps her home town.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Richard Peck/Grandma Dowdel fans