The Marble Queen

by Stephanie J. Blake, Kelly Fogwell (Narrator)

Freedom Jane McKenzie isn’t good at following the rules. She’s good at getting into trouble―and playing marbles. All she wants is to enter the marble competition at the Autumn Jubilee and show the boys in the neighborhood that she’s the best player. First, Freedom has to convince her mother to let her enter. But there’s a new baby on the way, Freedom’s daddy is drinking too much, her little brother is a handful, and her mother is even more difficult than usual. Freedom learns that when it comes to love, friendship, and family, sometimes there are no rules. Set in 1959, The Marble Queen is a timeless story about growing up. “I wanted to stay with Freedom and her oh-so-real family forever. I wanted to keep watching her play marbles with the boys. And I wanted just one more visit with the kind but eccentric next-door neighbor. Blake has combined the fascinating world of childhood marble-playing with the ups and downs of perfectly realistic characters. A winner!” ―Barbara O’Connor, author of How to Steal a Dog and Greetings from Nowhere “Rich with historical details, The Marble Queen will pull you back to 1959, but Freedom Jane McKenzie is a protagonist for all time. Whether she’s knee-deep in family struggles or proving to the world she has what it takes to play marbles with the boys, Freedom’s voice rings out with determination, humor, and warmth.” ―Nan Marino, author of Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Juvenile, Contemporary, Fiction, Book Club

Audio CD

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Aeicha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephanie Blake's The Marble Queen is an honest, amusing, and surprisingly poignant look at the coming of age of experiences one little girl in 1959 struggles and triumphs through.

Ten year old Freedom Jane McKenzie isn't the kind of little girl her mother wants her to be. Freedom rather play marbles with the boys then play with Barbies or have tea parties. But Freedom is determined to win the marble competition at the Autumn Jubilee and be the first Marble Queen...that is, if her momma gives her permission to enter. And her momma has more important things to deal with, like the new baby on the way, Freedom's trouble making little brother Higgie, Freedom's drunk of a daddy, and an eccentric neighbor. Freedom and her mother constantly disagree about what's important and who Freedom should be, but they both learn that maybe they're both a little wrong and right.

Stephanie Blake has crafted a story that is filled with a lot of heart, humor, and honesty. The Marble Queen isn't a simple story by any means and often deals with very real and very serious material (heavy drinking, unstable marriages, abuse, affairs, etc), but does so with sensitivity and in a way that is appropriate for its intended audience. The young heroine, Freedom, is impossible not to like and root for. Blake's story, characters, and storytelling skills make for an affective and captivating combination.

The Marble Queen is a contemporary middle-grade book set in a small town in 1959, and Blake brings this time period to life with rich details, pop cultural references, and a story that stays true to its setting. Readers will feel like they've been transported back to the fifties and be completely immersed in this not so simple time. Blake's world-building is superb and feels very complete; she has created a very realistic and detailed small town community, with real people, traditions, and places.

I really loved Freedom! She is such an endearing, plucky, relatable, and funny girl. The way she faces obstacles with determination and outside of the box thinking is inspiring, while her honest and clever observations are wildly amusing. Blake has done a great job of creating very realistic characters, from charming Freedom to a stressed out mother, curious little Higgie, a father that drinks too much, a lonely old neighbor, gossiping townsfolk, and meanie boys.

The Marble Queen is about so much more than marble playing (although the marble playing is important and fun!), it's about growing up, figuring out who you are and who you want to be, and about learning to accept the flaws in the people you love. And Blake has captured this all so well! By the end of the book I was completely enchanted by Freedom and impressed with Blake's story-weaving ways.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Freedom Jane McKenzie is an unforgettable heroine with a truly memorable and poignant story. A story that author Stephanie Blake has spun with sparkling and shining talent.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut author Stephanie J. Blake has written an appealing middle-grade novel about a heroine with an unusual name: Freedom Jane McKenzie. It's 1959, and Freedom is a tomboy through and through. She'd rather be playing marbles with the boys than engaging in more lady-like pursuits like tea parties and playing with Barbies. She dreams of winning the annual marble competition at the Autumn Jubilee, but it's not clear her mother will even let her enter, since her mom thinks marbles aren't proper for young girls. It's not easy growing up, particularly when your best friend (a boy, of course) doesn't want to have anything to do with you anymore, since he's getting teased for being friends with a girl. And on top of everything, your parents are constantly arguing over your dad's drinking. With her mother pregnant, Freedom has to take on plenty of chores at home, but still finds time to befriend the scary old lady who's their neighbor. Mrs. Zierk soon turns out to be the one person who has time to listen to Freedom, and soon is teaching her piano and jam-making.

Will Freedom become the Marble Queen, or will she have to give up her marbles and become a different person now that she's growing older?

This is a well-written story for 8-12 year olds; told with a humorous voice in the first person, the novel offers us an engaging heroine, a girl with plenty of spunk who we'd like living in our neighborhood. The author provides plenty of historical details about the era, including the building of bomb shelters, the novelty of television, having sundaes at the dime store, and the introduction of Barbie, among others, to give the book an authentic feel for the era. She also recreates effectively the pace of life at that period, when children roamed around their neighborhoods during the summer and after school without their parents fearing for their safety.

Freedom is a character I'd like to hear more from in the future.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the summer of 1959 and Freedom Jane McKenzie just celebrated her tenth birthday, receiving a hula hoop, paint-by-number set, and Barbie doll. Freedom would rather have new roller skates, shoot marbles with her old friend, Daniel, who now avoids her; and she'd like the opportunity to enter the marble competition at the Autumn Jubilee in her Idaho town. First Freedom has to persuade her mother to give her money for the entry fee and convince her that girls should be able to play marbles with the boys. Mother's crankier than usual because she's expecting another baby and Freedom's father drinks too much beer.

Freedom compares her mother to an M&M--"a hard shell on the outside, but she's really soft in the middle." Will her mother let her hard shell fall in time for Freedom to practice playing marbles or will Freedom have to take matters into her own hands?

I enjoyed revisiting my 1950s childhood where we had full reign of the neighborhood while our mother prepared meals because we rarely ate at a restaurant, but she did purchase a TV dinner for all of us to try. Mama ironed the clothes with that distinct aroma of cooked starch while she watched the soap operas on our new TV. At school, the girls played jacks and hop scotch, in our dresses, while the boys played marbles. The entire family attended church every Sunday and once we dropped the collection plate just like Freedom. Thanks for the memories, Stephanie Blake.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't too sure what it wanted to be. What I think it turned out to be is an attempt at reconstructing Beverly Cleary's Ramona series but with a side of alcoholism and random and unnecessary historical references. This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be upon picking it up. A lot of times that's a good thing - in this case I was frustrated. There wasn't that much about marbles, which could have really been used to nice and eccentric effect. I was also hoping this story would be set in the current day (there's something unusual about playing marbles now), and when I found out that it was set in the '50s (with a lot of historical cliches), I was pretty disappointed. The character is fairly likable, though the rest of the cast was no thrill. There's the elderly next-door neighbor who seems grouchy at first but turns out to be a nice woman; a neer-do-well father; a stressed mother and boys who pick on the protagonist.

I didn't really think all of the '50s references meant anything to the story. I saw no purpose to it, and I found much of the references overdone. I wouldn't recommend this. There are plenty of other stories about plucky kids dealing with issues at home. The alcoholism plot line was also rather heavy for the intended audience, but in the end it didn't amount to as much as it could have. Marbles made little impact in this story, and the conflicting tones throughout made for a jarring read.

[Cathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

upper elementary, middle grades
first person POV
AR test
standalone

Freedom Jane is a 5th-grade girl who likes playing marbles better than playing dolls, and wants to enter the Autumn Jubilee marble contest. First she has to convince her mother (and the boys in her class) who say marbles are for boys.

Set in 1959, it got some of the details right but not others (no girls would have been allowed to wear pants to school, and no girls that age would have worn lip stick).

Freedom's father drinks too much beer and skips work to "fish" and drink with his brother-in-law, causing friction with her mom. After a car crash he joins AA and does better. I could handle that, it was the adults gossiping about the neighbor widow who had a man's car parked in front of the house for 3 hours in the middle of the night, and her father's expression where he scrambled a saying so that "turtles" became "turds" that made me wonder what the author was thinking. And Freedom repeatedly pinches and pokes her 4-year-old brother.

For all that Freedom is supposed to be spunky she still cries when the boys refuse to let her play with them.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom Jane McKenzie feels the constraints of societies rules for girls and women, and in that, she foreshadows the turbulent sixties ahead. She's not fond of dresses, dolls, tea or any of that; she just wants to play marbles a game for boys according to almost every grown-up she meets. But Freedom Jane is determined to enter and win the crown of Marble Queen at the Autumn Jubilee.
More personally, she reads as an authentic young girl, beginning to mature, with a flawed but loving family. Her mother, pregnant and concerned about her husband's drinking, is impatient and exasperated with Freedom Jane. Her father, a lovable man with a drinking problem, tries to smooth the waters and believes his daughter can do anything. Freedom Jane just sees things from her perspective.
Some moments of sheer genius show up in this writing especially in the love this family shares and the emotions of a young girl beginning to try and understand what's expected of her and how she can live with that.

[Carol Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Colorado author Stephanie J. Blake's first novel. Historical fiction, set in 1959. Freedom Jane is the best mibster (marble player) in her grade/neighborhood, and wants to enter a marble contest, but her mama says she is too old to be playing marbles with the boys. Freedom isn't ready to give up her dream. On top of that, Daniel, who has been her best friend for years, doesn't want to play with her any more, because she is a girl. And then her daddy is drinking way too much beer, which makes her mom angry.

This book will open up lots of great discussions about feminism. Equally important for me, however, was the friendship between Freedom and Daniel- fourth and fifth grade is definitely the time when those boy/girl friendships become less "socially acceptable," and it's so, so, so hard on kids. I also can think of a number of kids whose family members struggle with alcoholism. I know I will hand this book to them, just to say, "Other kids have been there too."

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom is tired of her mom telling her what girls can't do. In 1959, a girl cannot play marbles with boys and she certainly cannot enter the marble competition at the Autumn Jubilee. Of course the only thing Freedom wants to do is enter the competition and win!! Nice old-fashion feel to this story. Highly recommend!

[Shelley Logan]

Idaho books?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells about a wonderful young woman named Freedom who is growing up in the late 50’s, watching Lawrence Welk and his bubbles. She is a fifth grader wanting to go to the drive-in movies, but her daddy drinks too much and wrecks the car on the night he has promised to take her. She is a girl who likes to do things that girls in the times should not like to do, like playing marbles, and her mother tells her what young ladies do quite a bit. Freedom’s little brother Higgie is always in trouble, and sometimes she is blamed. The family is poor, and another baby on the way creates more tension, but there are many sweet moments, including those with an older woman neighbor that reminds me of the older women in To Kill A Mockingbird. At first rather gruff, she then begins a good friendship with Freedom, and finally between the two households. Stephanie’s writing took me back to this time with lovely images, like: “As the syrupy jam cooked on the stove, the air smelled so sweet, I wanted to take big bites of it.” I chuckled at the realistic scenes described throughout the book like a mishap of Freedom’s that her mother asked why she had done it. Freedom says (to herself): “That’s one of the questions that grown-ups ask. I still don’t know the right answer.” Stephanie J. Blake is a Colorado author and I’m glad to review a book from “my country”. She should be congratulated for her debut novel.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Freedom Jane McKenzie is a 10-year-old girl in 1959. She loves to play marbles with the boys and dreams of competing in the Autumn Jubilee marble competition. Her mother is against the idea, hoping that she will do something more ladylike and her alcoholic father encourages her marble playing but doesn't fight her mother in her decisions.
It was a cute little children's story, but in my opinion, nothing too spectacular. I enjoyed the characters immensely but found the plot someone lacking. Each chapter was a funny little anecdote about Freedom's life between August and December 1959. The problem is that it felt more like just little stories rather than a plot. The plot had little continuity other than marble playing. It just seemed very chopped up to me. I think it's a good children's story and that, written from a child's point of view, it was well-written and sounded like a child. I would recommend it to any kid, but it wasn't overly extraordinary. I did enjoy the read, however.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom Jane McKenzie hates following rules, which usually lands her in trouble with her teachers, her mom, and everyone else. The one thing she is good at is playing marbles, and she is determined to enter the marble competition at the Autumn Jubilee to prove it. First she has to convince her mother to let her enter, then convince the neighborhood boys to let her keep practicing with them so she keep up her skills, and then she has to stay out of trouble. But, Daniel, her best friend since kindergarten no longer wants to hang out with her, there's a new baby on the way, her daddy is drinking too much, her little brother is a pain in the butt, and her mother is being even more difficult than usual. How can Freedom follow her dreams and follow all the rules when her world is falling down around her?

[Robin Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable, charming read! I loved Freedom Jane McKenzie and her feisty, independent, tom-boyish ways. Although her lifestyle was different than mine, her attitude and personality are all too familiar to me. I just couldn't help but giggle in so many spots along the way. I found myself saying, "Oh my... that's so me!" Freedom's family and friends are equally charming and although they have troubles, you can feel the love they have for one another. I especially loved that part. This was a quick read and I was sad it ended so fast. I would love to read another book about Freedom and her family. I sure hope to see a second book or maybe even a series of books about Freedom and her life. Loved it!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author really does a nice job of painting a picture of 1959 Idaho through the eyes of 10 year old Freedom, who an ace mibster (marble player). Unfortunately, girls are supposed to play with Barbies, and all Freedom wants to do is enter the town's marble shooting contest. things are complicated. Mom has a firm picture of a girl's role in society, and it does not include marbles. She is also unhappily pregnant with a third child. Actually, she is unhappy about lots of things, which got old for me. Dad is a functional alcoholic, meaning he has a job but he gets into trouble. The little brother is your basic little brother, too cute and a little bit devious. Freedom's goal is to get into the contest, but for me all these other side stories cluttered the story.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrated by Kelly Fogwell. In 1959 Idaho, Freedom McKenzie is on the cusp of adolescence but she still loves to get down in the dirt and play marbles. She intends to enter the marbles competition at the Autumn Jubilee even though her mother wants her to be more ladylike. Her dad drinks more beer than he should, the neighborhood boys don't want to play marbles with her anymore, and the feared older lady next door ends up becoming a friend. Fogwell nicely brings out the everyday ups and downs of Freedom's life and her spirited personality. Dad's drinking is not presented in a dark light although the mother is obviously put out and disappointed by it. When he decides to do right and stop drinking, it's not a struggle. He just does it.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. Spunky Freedom is ten years old with absolutely no interest in become the lady that her mother is pressuring her to be. She's a great mibster but the boys are freezing her out of games. Even her best bud, Daniel, is acting weird. Her mom is constantly criticizing, her dad is drinking too much, her little brother is such a pain and her next door neighbor might be a Commie. She's not sure what that is, but her mother doesn't seem to like her much. The writing is subtle and punctuated with understated humor and gently deals with realistic problems that can face an otherwise loving family.

[Laurie Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could picture the setting of this fast paced family story, as I am familiar with it's location in Idaho and the Snake River it mentions. It takes place in the 1950's The family was like many families, scraping by financially, the father suffering from alcoholism, which of course affects the rest of the family, in a time when moms were mostly housewives. In this book the young girl tells bits and pieces of growing up in such a family, and how, in spite of their problems, there's plenty of love to go around. It's a nicely told coming of age story, written by a talented, engaging author. I think it will be enjoyed by young and old readers alike.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You know how sometimes you need to do something – especially when people say you can’t, you have to try anyway?” Freedom is a girl in 1959 who loves shooting marbles. But as everyone is always pointing out, “Girls don’t shoot marbles.” Freedom won’t listen. This is a great little piece of Americana told from a kid’s perspective about a normal family doing normal things. The parents are a little stressed about money; Freedom’s little brother bugs her a little; and Freedom wants to be the first girl to compete in the town’s big marble contest. Read The Marble Queen to find out it if it all happens the way Freedom wants it to.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom is a young lady with a stressful home life. Her father is an alcoholic, her mother is pregnant, her brother is troublesome, and money is an issue. Her escape and a skill she excels in is playing marbles, even though people around her think it’s unfeminine and something only boys should do. When a marble contest is in the near future, she just has to get in and compete. Will her mom let her enter? Can she win this competition? I liked the voice in this, Freedom is a great middle grade character, and the author brings the 1950’s setting to life.

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to receive this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The timing was perfect because I just bought my 4th grade daughter marbles and have been in the process of teaching her the game. Stephanie Blake takes us back to a time long before ipods and game systems. Her story is rich with historical references and reminds me of the beloved Ramona books. Freedom Jane McKenzie is fiesty, intelligent and not about to let a little thing like being a girl stand in her way of entering the contest to be The Marble King. I really liked this book and can't wait for my daughter to read it.

[eRin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freedom Jane is spunky. She is not ladylike. Fifth grade is harder than fourth grade and nothing she does can please her mama. The only thing Freedom really, really, really wants is to compete in the marble shooting tournament. But her mama says that marbles are for boys, and boys and girls shouldn't play together.

I adored Freedom -- she reminded me so much of myself at that age. The book is amusing and made me chuckle out loud a few times; but it also touches on some more serious subject matter like alcoholism.

[Katie Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Marble Queen, Stephanie J. Blake has created a character in Freedom McKenzie that I would have loved hanging out with as a kid. For all of the mischief-making Freedom does, she is a loving older sister and friend who's trying to navigate her way through growing up in a time when girls weren't supposed to play marbles. I love how hard Freedom tries to be good, and even with her best efforts, she ends up in trouble. This is a fun and sweet middle grade read great for girls and boys.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not as profound as TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD or THE HUNDRED DRESSES but has the same sort of style. A fast read with good underpinning of feminism (what is and is not "proper" for a girl to enjoy) that could be explored further. (The current ending is good for the main plot, but for the feminist theme, the "it's fine now that I've scratched that itch" felt somewhat anticlimatic.) Nevertheless, it's fairly well written and charming story.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book. I am sure that kids in grades 3-6 will thoroughly enjoy it. I will be passing this along to an avid grade 5 reader shortly and I am sure that she will love it.

I received this as a first read book.

(I did pass this along to my friend's daughter who is in grade 5 and she loved it!)

[Linda]

I received this book free as a Goodreads First Read. I gave it to my 10 year old Granddaughter for Christmas. She called me last night to let me know that it was the best book she ever read! She then wanted to know if Stephanie J. Blake had any more books. I couldn't be more pleased! Now that she is letting me borrow it, I will be adding to this post later.

[Susan Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story reminded me of a childhood where dresses for school were expected and fried chicken and church were a weekly expectation. I loved the ideas of complex relationships and early feminism. I wish it had been a little more developed. References to alcoholism and infidelity might make some teachers uncomfortable.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom Jane is a girl after my own heart. This is an excellent "slice of life" look at the late 1950s. There are some serious issues, but all are handled in an appropriate-for-the-age-group way. And every kid who reads it is going to want to rediscover that forgotten childhood pasttime . . . marbles.

[Janel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-written slice of Americana. The characters, the atmosphere, the observations and emotions were all very real. I kept thinking about the book for days afterwards because it prompted me to remember how I used to think and feel as a kid. Ms. Blake is a very skilled writer.

[Dana Grimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable fiction that takes place in 1959--it's like Mad Men from the child's point of view! I really love Freedom Jane and her desire to play marbles despite her mother's worries about the danger of being competitive with boys.

[Meridith Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom is a memorable and determined protagonist who is well worth your time. I loved every member of Freedom's imperfect family. This book will definitely find its way into my classroom library. If you participate in a mother/daughter book-club, this would be a perfect selection.