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Calling Extra
In turn-of-the-century New York City, young Elsie Lutz must face life alone after her father's wrongful imprisonment. Her odds change when she meets Grin, a mysterious teenage newsboy with a kind heart. Together, they get caught up in the exhilarating newsboy strike of 1899, an actual event that had children labor fighting for fair pay. Through challenges and setbacks, Elsie discovers the power of her voice as she attempts to free her father and help her new friends. Follow Elsie's thrilling quest for justice and self-discovery in a world where young voices can make a big difference.
Reads like a classic...
The book includes the real timeline and history of the newsies strike, glossary, map, and bibliography. Perfect for lovers of historical fiction, a strong female character, and social issues. Calling Extra is also ideal for teachers looking for books for their middle-grade readers. The novel has been used in schools across the world to pair with a study of turn-of-the-century US history, women's suffrage, and 1800s American immigration.
REVIEWS
With a new century on the horizon, change might lay in the hands of the youngest... Two [kids] do their part to make a difference and make "Calling Extra" a riveting read of a struggling youth against a world with no favor for them.
- Midwest Book Review, June 2012
Romero has chosen an exciting historical episode for her first novel. The premise is helped by Romero's use of historical characters, like the one-eyed Kid Blink. Elsie makes a sympathetic heroine, both thoughtful and hard-headed.
-- Kirkus Book Reviews
Reads like a classic...
The book includes the real timeline and history of the newsies strike, glossary, map, and bibliography. Perfect for lovers of historical fiction, a strong female character, and social issues. Calling Extra is also ideal for teachers looking for books for their middle-grade readers. The novel has been used in schools across the world to pair with a study of turn-of-the-century US history, women's suffrage, and 1800s American immigration.
REVIEWS
With a new century on the horizon, change might lay in the hands of the youngest... Two [kids] do their part to make a difference and make "Calling Extra" a riveting read of a struggling youth against a world with no favor for them.
- Midwest Book Review, June 2012
Romero has chosen an exciting historical episode for her first novel. The premise is helped by Romero's use of historical characters, like the one-eyed Kid Blink. Elsie makes a sympathetic heroine, both thoughtful and hard-headed.
-- Kirkus Book Reviews
- GenresHistorical Fiction
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2012
15 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Romero
4 books4 followersKristina Romero is a writer, entrepreneur, and former Emmy-nominated actress. At the age of 17, she began her career starring on the CBS soap opera "As The World Turns," where she earned two Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Younger Actress. Since that time she has spent her entire career in multimedia, earning her Masters in writing, running a digital web agency, creating and running online training programs, and publishing content around the web and in print. Kristina currently lives in Arizona with her husband Daniel and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 5, 2018
I’m going to start out by saying I am a huge fan of the Broadway Musical Newsies. It’s my favorite thing on this planet. So when my friend gave me this book, I was so excited to read it.
It was a fun and accurate story about the 1899 Newsboy Strike. I love Elsie’s story and all the newsies throughout the story. I also loved how it discussed immigration and females starting to join the general workforce, with this book focusing on a female lawyer. And the brotherhood between the newsies was the highlight of this book for me. They’re fierce love and compassion for others really shown and I loved how for the most part they were loyal to each other. I recommend for any newsies fan or someone looking for a good historical middle grade story.
4.5/5 Stars
It was a fun and accurate story about the 1899 Newsboy Strike. I love Elsie’s story and all the newsies throughout the story. I also loved how it discussed immigration and females starting to join the general workforce, with this book focusing on a female lawyer. And the brotherhood between the newsies was the highlight of this book for me. They’re fierce love and compassion for others really shown and I loved how for the most part they were loyal to each other. I recommend for any newsies fan or someone looking for a good historical middle grade story.
4.5/5 Stars
Read
June 21, 2017Recommended by my daughter who is obsessed with the Broadway production of Newsies. Fun historical fiction set in 1899 and during the real life newsboy strike. A bit violent in spots (fighting) but a good read for a teen who digs this kind of thing. Strong female lead as well.
May 13, 2021
UPDATE 2021:
I find it amusing that about this time two years ago I was reading this book. This is my second time reading this and I still feel the same way (I bought my own copy). I'm currently reading one of the books the author used in her research and I was very impressed at just how well researched and accurate everything was. I mean I knew it was good the first time I read it, but now I'm just blown away. This time I did notice a few typos but nothing that took away from the enjoyment. Highly recommend!!
2019 read:
Stop. Just stop whatever you're doing and add this book to your reading list. If you like historical fiction, ACCURATE historical fiction, I may add, that centers around the turn of the century New York, the newsies strike, and early immigration, you NEED to read this! If you are a fan of the Broadway production of Newsies or the Disney movie, like me, you MUST read this! Enough gushing, I'm sure you want to know WHY you MUST read this.
1)I didn't just read this book. I DEVOURED it. In ONE day. Not even a day...more like six hours. Just the IDEA of setting this lovely book aside was painful. I was hooked the moment I picked it up from the library. (my love of Newsies probably helped, but I've always found this particular era in history interesting. (I loved Haddix's Uprising too, it was about the Triangle Shirt Waist fire))
2) I was surprised at how short the book was, only 177 pages. The story was constantly moving and there was never a dull moment. There were parts where I found myself taking sudden sharp intakes of breath and probably grinning like an idiot. Just a side note...there was no language either.
3)THE CHARACTERS!!! They were so well developed and real, even the secondary characters were memorable. I found myself rooting for Elsie several times throughout and I was so proud of her for coming so far and finding her voice. GRIN! He was such a fun character and so likeable. I think he was my favorite.
4) As I mentioined earlier, the history was accurate and clearly well researched. The story literally drew me in. I could easily visulaize the dark hallways of the tenaments. I could hear the shouting and cheers from the newises during their meeting at Irving Hall. I loved how real everything about this book was. Well done, Romero!
SPOILERS......SPOILERS...….SPOILERS...…...SPOILERS...….SPOILERS...….SPOILERS...….SPOILERS.....
5)THE ENDING!! AHHH! It left me in a mix of emotions. As badly as I wanted Elsie and Grin to end up together....I think the fact that they DIDN'T, made it all the more realistic. Life happens and the people who CLEARLY BELONG TOGETHER, don't always get to be together. But the ending brought some closure and it left me grinning from ear to ear. Not gonna lie...if I was the type to cry over books (which I'm not) I would have cried. I do wish we could have known more about Grin's new life. What happened to his mom? Did she ever get better? Did his dad stay sober? AND WHY DIDN'T GRIN EVER COME BACK FOR HER LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD???
END SPOILERS......END SPOILERS......END SPOILERS.......END SPOILERS.....END SPOILERS.....
I hope I've given you enough incentive to peak your curiosity. Seriously, I think this is one of my favorite books I've read this year, next to the Brotherband Chronicles, of course....I just realized I like reading about displaced teenage boys who form their own brotherhood....
Anyway...I could probably say more about this book, but I'm going to stop there. If you made it through this super long review, congrats. Now go check it out. :)
I find it amusing that about this time two years ago I was reading this book. This is my second time reading this and I still feel the same way (I bought my own copy). I'm currently reading one of the books the author used in her research and I was very impressed at just how well researched and accurate everything was. I mean I knew it was good the first time I read it, but now I'm just blown away. This time I did notice a few typos but nothing that took away from the enjoyment. Highly recommend!!
2019 read:
Stop. Just stop whatever you're doing and add this book to your reading list. If you like historical fiction, ACCURATE historical fiction, I may add, that centers around the turn of the century New York, the newsies strike, and early immigration, you NEED to read this! If you are a fan of the Broadway production of Newsies or the Disney movie, like me, you MUST read this! Enough gushing, I'm sure you want to know WHY you MUST read this.
1)I didn't just read this book. I DEVOURED it. In ONE day. Not even a day...more like six hours. Just the IDEA of setting this lovely book aside was painful. I was hooked the moment I picked it up from the library. (my love of Newsies probably helped, but I've always found this particular era in history interesting. (I loved Haddix's Uprising too, it was about the Triangle Shirt Waist fire))
2) I was surprised at how short the book was, only 177 pages. The story was constantly moving and there was never a dull moment. There were parts where I found myself taking sudden sharp intakes of breath and probably grinning like an idiot. Just a side note...there was no language either.
3)THE CHARACTERS!!! They were so well developed and real, even the secondary characters were memorable. I found myself rooting for Elsie several times throughout and I was so proud of her for coming so far and finding her voice. GRIN! He was such a fun character and so likeable. I think he was my favorite.
4) As I mentioined earlier, the history was accurate and clearly well researched. The story literally drew me in. I could easily visulaize the dark hallways of the tenaments. I could hear the shouting and cheers from the newises during their meeting at Irving Hall. I loved how real everything about this book was. Well done, Romero!
SPOILERS......SPOILERS...….SPOILERS...…...SPOILERS...….SPOILERS...….SPOILERS...….SPOILERS.....
5)THE ENDING!! AHHH! It left me in a mix of emotions. As badly as I wanted Elsie and Grin to end up together....I think the fact that they DIDN'T, made it all the more realistic. Life happens and the people who CLEARLY BELONG TOGETHER, don't always get to be together. But the ending brought some closure and it left me grinning from ear to ear. Not gonna lie...if I was the type to cry over books (which I'm not) I would have cried. I do wish we could have known more about Grin's new life. What happened to his mom? Did she ever get better? Did his dad stay sober? AND WHY DIDN'T GRIN EVER COME BACK FOR HER LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD???
END SPOILERS......END SPOILERS......END SPOILERS.......END SPOILERS.....END SPOILERS.....
I hope I've given you enough incentive to peak your curiosity. Seriously, I think this is one of my favorite books I've read this year, next to the Brotherband Chronicles, of course....I just realized I like reading about displaced teenage boys who form their own brotherhood....
Anyway...I could probably say more about this book, but I'm going to stop there. If you made it through this super long review, congrats. Now go check it out. :)
February 17, 2020
This book was so much fun! I'm a huge fan of Newsies, so when I saw names like Kid Blink, Boots, Mush, Racetrack, and Spot Conlon, I was definitely excited! This book is based off of the actual events of the 1899 Newsies strike, so it's definitely different than the movie and the musical.
October 17, 2020
"Calling Extra" is a captivating and interesting perspective on the newsboys' strike of "Newsies" fame. Told through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl, this book shines a new light on the 1899 labor riot- one that shows that girls were just as involved as the boys. Elsie Lutz's life changes in a second when her father is arrested for a crime he did not commit, leaving the motherless girl on her own. She is quickly sent to the Asylum, a girls' home filled with strict, angry matrons and girls who frame her for every misdeed. So when she befriends a charming, amiable newsie named Grin, she jumps at the chance to join him in his life of excitement and selling papes- hopefully making enough money to hire the lawyer she needs to get her dad out of jail. When Elsie, or Nickel as the boys call her, becomes swept up in the newsboys' strike against the papers they work for and Grin's past becomes more and more of a mystery, will Elsie be able to help her new brotherhood of newsies and clear her father's name?
This was a captivating, fast-paced read, especially for a Newsies fan ('Fansie') like me. It was very accurate to the real-life strike and Elsie's perspective was interesting and kept me turning the pages. I absolutely loved Grin. He was adorable and so selfless and caring towards Elsie. The plot moved very well, making it complex but not confusing. It was an amazing story and the way they incorporated real-life historical figures was amazing. I had to dock it a star because there were a few typos- a missed punctuation mark here and there, a 'here' instead of 'hear.' It doesn't screw up the plot, but can be annoying. This book just brings you into the world and I couldn't put it down.
I think that this book would be appropriate for ages 11 and up. Parents, these are some things you should be aware about. **Caution- SPOILERS AWAIT BEYOND THIS WARNING. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.** There is a some extremely non-graphic violence. Elsie describes some of the boys turning over wagons, fighting with the 'scabs' and ripping up their papers. A couple punches and slaps. Elise asks the boys to teach her how to fight. Elsie's father is framed in a murder case. Grin tells Elsie that his father used to beat him senseless and that's why he doesn't live with his family. The worst of the violence is a fight scene that takes place underground in an unfinished subway tunnel. Elsie is being held hostage by a scab, and Grin, armed with a lit stick of dynamite, threatens to blow the place up if the scab doesn't let her go. This results in a brawl between Grin and the scab where the dynamite blows up, killing the scab and seriously injuring Grin. There's no suggestive anything other than a little very innocent flirting, and a boy has to lend his pants to Elsie so she can pass as a boy and he's left in his long johns. (It's played for laughs.) As far as language goes, it's one or two 'h*ll's and the Lord's name in vain a couple times, and Elsie mentions that the boys swear sometimes. Also a few sexist comments here and there that were common at the time. All in all, it's totally fine content-wise and a wonderful read.
This was a captivating, fast-paced read, especially for a Newsies fan ('Fansie') like me. It was very accurate to the real-life strike and Elsie's perspective was interesting and kept me turning the pages. I absolutely loved Grin. He was adorable and so selfless and caring towards Elsie. The plot moved very well, making it complex but not confusing. It was an amazing story and the way they incorporated real-life historical figures was amazing. I had to dock it a star because there were a few typos- a missed punctuation mark here and there, a 'here' instead of 'hear.' It doesn't screw up the plot, but can be annoying. This book just brings you into the world and I couldn't put it down.
I think that this book would be appropriate for ages 11 and up. Parents, these are some things you should be aware about. **Caution- SPOILERS AWAIT BEYOND THIS WARNING. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.** There is a some extremely non-graphic violence. Elsie describes some of the boys turning over wagons, fighting with the 'scabs' and ripping up their papers. A couple punches and slaps. Elise asks the boys to teach her how to fight. Elsie's father is framed in a murder case. Grin tells Elsie that his father used to beat him senseless and that's why he doesn't live with his family. The worst of the violence is a fight scene that takes place underground in an unfinished subway tunnel. Elsie is being held hostage by a scab, and Grin, armed with a lit stick of dynamite, threatens to blow the place up if the scab doesn't let her go. This results in a brawl between Grin and the scab where the dynamite blows up, killing the scab and seriously injuring Grin. There's no suggestive anything other than a little very innocent flirting, and a boy has to lend his pants to Elsie so she can pass as a boy and he's left in his long johns. (It's played for laughs.) As far as language goes, it's one or two 'h*ll's and the Lord's name in vain a couple times, and Elsie mentions that the boys swear sometimes. Also a few sexist comments here and there that were common at the time. All in all, it's totally fine content-wise and a wonderful read.
January 7, 2014
Elsie and Grin's relationship was absorbing for most of the book, although I was disappointed by the ending. It would have been more satisfying if Grin had come back for Elsie as he'd promised before he left for Kansas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
My daughter read this book and really enjoyed it. She recommended that I read it. A very good look at the Gilded Age, the haves and have nots, and how life was in 1899. I learned a lot about the newspaper business and how children were selling papers for a few cents. The strike against Hearst and Pulitzer was real. These 2 tycoons took advantage of desperate children who were trying to make a few pennies. These 2 seemed awfully greedy and they didn't seem to care about anything but money.
Elsie and Grin were awesome characters. He saved her skin on more than one occasion, taught her the business of selling papers, and became her guide and good friend.
A great read. Though written for teens, any reader no matter the age would enjoy it. We are thinking about recommending it for our church women's book club.
Elsie and Grin were awesome characters. He saved her skin on more than one occasion, taught her the business of selling papers, and became her guide and good friend.
A great read. Though written for teens, any reader no matter the age would enjoy it. We are thinking about recommending it for our church women's book club.
February 19, 2021
The book arrived today and I read it in a few hours. It was really good and I enjoyed it. I had my few moments of freaking out from the characters in the book but recovered quickly. The story line was amazing and I cried reading the ending. I recommend for anyone who is interested in knowing the story behind the musical and the film
March 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. If you like the movie Newsies, you will love this. I really liked the writing style, and it was about a rather neglected time in history. I would definitely be interested to read more about this time period.
May 3, 2021
Anything to do with 1900s and newies I know I'm going to love it. Surprised with how short it was but so good! Yay!
September 23, 2025
It’s a great book
November 30, 2025
It started slow, but I ended up loving it. Great book!
January 20, 2023
Absolutely fantastic!!! I loved this book! It was very immersive and I loved the fiction mixed with historical reality. So good to read if you need to get yourself out of a reading slump!
November 29, 2016
When Elsie Lutz's father — a German immigrant — is arrested for murder, Elsie doesn't know what to do. But a chance meeting with Grin, one of the "newsies" changes her life. Not only does she experience the vicissitudes of their lives as they go out on strike against the two major New York papers, she also discover her own strength of character. This book provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of both immigrants and newsboys at the end of the nineteenth century. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews