When the Crickets Stopped Singing

by Marilyn Cram Donahue

Set in the summer of 1939, this historical novel for readers aged 10-14 tells the story of a young girl who finds the strength to defy the social norms of her community when a dangerous man poses a threat to a friend. Twelve-year-old Angie Wallace and her friends embark on a quest to "love thy neighbor," which includes newcomer Jefferson Clement. But soon the girls begin to suspect that he's a dangerous man, even if the adults refuse to see it. Like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters in this book must explore the nature of truth and justice as Angie struggles to stand up for what she knows is right.

It's the calm before the storm of World War II in 1939 in small-town Messina, California. Angie Wallace and her friends have set out on a mission to "love thy neighbor"--even if that means inviting weird Dodie Crumper to join in their summer plans. But as they move through their neighborly to-do list, the girls can't help but notice that there's something strange about the sudden return of Jefferson Clement. He might be well-dressed and respected, yet with each interaction they become more aware of his dark intentions, especially when it comes to young girls. The adults in town either don't notice or ignore the danger he poses, but when Angie is the only witness to a terrible accident, she must make a choice that calls into question everything she understands about truth and justice. With a setting that blossoms to life from the first page, When the Crickets Stopped Singing is the story of a transformative summer in a young girl's life, when the idylls of childhood collide with the perils of the world beyond.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2018

Reviews

[Tami Genry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book handled a number of tough issues with sensitivity and mindfulness of the target audience. While these matters such as how to handle a pedophile, gossip, judgment of others, young crushes, and more were present in the story, the author wove them in a realistic and age-appropriate way which provided some insight in how one might navigate difficult things in his or her life. Matters of moral behavior were suggested, but not in a way that forced ideas on the reader, but rather in a way that caused the reader to think and contemplate. It was refreshing to read a book that handled the difficulties of life in a realistic way, yet free of foul language and trashy scenes.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by the publisher

It's very hot in the summer of 1939, and Angie is glad to see new neighbors move in. Reba Lu is the new minister's daughter, and the two get along well. Angie's other friend, Geraldine, joins them in thinking of activities for the long summer days, and the three decide that they will think about people in their town who might not be easy to like, and think of ways that they might be nicer to those people. One is a girl their age, Dodie Crumper, whose mother is a neglectful alcoholic. Another is the slightly odd older daughter of the kindly local doctor. Despite the rumblings of war in the national news, the girls have a fairly carefree summer working on their plan until they start to notice that one of the men in town is rather creepy. He watches them a bit too closely, makes some of the people in town uncomfortable, and is observed behaving in inappropriate ways with young girls... including Dodie. When a tragedy occurs, Angie must decide how to proceed in order to keep her town safe from this man's influences.
Strengths: This has a lot of good details about what daily life was like during this time period, and the book was written in a style that really brought it to life. The characters and their interests seemed true to the time period, and the inclusion of religion was interesting. The note at the end of the book about how public opinion and social mores have changed in regards to predators was very helpful.
Weaknesses: It was a bit hard for me to believe that Angie would have been believed, and the courtroom scene seemed odd, since the man hadn't been charged yet. I don't have a legal background, so maybe that's how crimes were investigated in the 1930s since I always need books for a seventh grade language arts project on historical eras.
What I really think: This covers a topic that is timely but rather depressing. The details were so fantastic that I really wish the topic had been more specific to 1939 and related to the history of the time.

[Cynthia Parkhill]

Set just before World War II in Messina, California, the growing threat of Hitler is really more a backdrop to the central drama of this book, which concerns child molestation. The protagonist, 12-year-old Angie, and her friends are uncomfortable with a man, Jefferson Clement, whom many adults seem to admire. They catch him spying through binoculars while they're in their bathing suits. Another time, someone tries to break into the girls' tent during a backyard camp-out. It's dark, but Angie thinks she recognizes Clement's distinct walk, and she also smells his aftershave. Finally, Dodie Crumper, a girl of Angie's age, shares with Angie that Clement wants to put his hands on her where he oughtn't. Through the themes in her book, the author makes comparison between Jefferson Clement and Hitler; each is a symbol of evil.

When the Crickets Stopped Singing was a 2018 selection of the Junior Library Guild.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Crickets Stopped Singing by Marilyn Cram Donahue. Calkins Creek (Highlights), 2018. $19.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

It is the summer of 1939 and a group of three twelve-year-old girls decide that they will follow the advice of the local preacher and pick some people from their small town to love. They start by befriending another girl their age who doesn’t bathe as often as they would like and a real friendship grows from this. They also try to befriend a man who has returned to his wife after being away, but they end up learning that some people are not to be trusted. This man preys on their newly acquired friend and they all gather to protect her.

The first thing that should be acknowledged is that this book could be triggering for some readers because of the sexual predator. That said, it also may serve as a warning as to the signs of a predator and the responsibility of a community to speak out and not just shuffle the problem to a new town, in this case. There is also an insightful layer in which this story is paralleled with the worlds inaction against Hitler at the start of the war. I would recommend this book only with great caution.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my attention from the first time I laid eyes on it. The cover (which, sorry to say, I do judge) called to me, as did the Historical Fiction sticker my library has adorned it with.

Angie lives a simple life in Messina, California. In the summer of 1939, however, she begins hearing things about the war in Europe - and an evil man named Hitler. But Europe is a far-away place, and nothing is going to happen here....

Life was simpler back then, when small towns occupied the nation, and gossip and church were the best pass-times around. A new preacher & his family move in across the street from Angie, and when they become friends, Angie, with Reba Lu and Angie's long-time friend, Geraldine, get together and decide to "get on God's good side" by being polite, making friends, and being nice to some of those in town is a little harder than expected, especially when Dodie Crumper is on that list - one of the most disgusting girls in their grade.

A lot happens in a very short time in this story. It was very hard for me to put it down, plus it was also a pretty quick read. I will recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the summer of 1939, 12-year-old Angie Wallace's new neighbor Reba suggests that Angie and best friend Geraldine make a pact to befriend some marginalized individuals in their community. The threeesome run into success with Dodie, a girl with an alcoholic mother, and Miss Emma, a mentally challenged woman whose bedroom is filled with live animals, and a problem when they uncover a neighborhood man's predatory nature. This title deals with a highly charged topic in a serious way; main character Angie needs to relay the truth about a predator without committing perjury. Although Hitler is mentioned occasionally, World War II is not the main subject; the emphasis is on why people delay taking action against criminal behavior. This title provides much to evaluate for book discussion groups. A two page afterword raises several excellent questions to review. Strongly recommended for 5th - 8th graders.

[Chari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. One thing REALLY bothered me. They kept talking about a Bank of America branch in this small town, however, the setting is 1939. There were no Bank of America branches outside of California at that time. Kind of ruined the well developed setting for me. They could have named that bank anything!

[Leigh Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book addresses an important, but often not talked about, topic. It was written perfectly for a middle-grade/middle-school reader. This was a small-town setting, and if you have ever lived in a small town, then you understand the gossip, the stereotypes, and the rumors that unfortunately happen. I highly recommend this one!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this read!!!! Maybe after reading some page turners this one was a Good read to get me to my next book😍🤓

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read-aloud for good discussion in upper elem.

[S. Van Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story full of rich details and characters that come to life on the page. I appreciated this author’s deft handling of such a sensitive subject.

[Samantha Isaacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was wonderful watching character growth and the blossoming of friendship.

I do wish that there was a little more closure, with Dottie and Miss Emma's stories.

[Makayla Blumenstock · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT tw there is SA but this girl in a small town explores and makes friends and learns that everyone has a secret even her little town

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1939, three self-righteous, gossiping, 12-year-old girls decide to show love to the sinners in their small California town in order to get on God’s good side. When they discover there is a child predator in their town, they struggle whether or not to tell anyone since they don’t think anyone would believe them.

[Sallyavena · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I thought the author wrote beautifully, I have to wonder why this subject matter. Yes there are and have been child predators/molesters, but I don't see the need to have be the subject matter for a young middle grade book (says 4-6 grade). The world does have some horrible things in it, but reading is an escape for me and I would never want my 5th grade daughter reading this. We've had conversations about, but I don't want her reading a book to escape and having instead to deal with the harsh realities that are already in one's face constantly with the world being how it is. I would love to read something else written by this author though because I loved her writing style...just not the subject matter. Preferably something uplifting or redemptive.

[MOVED formerly stinky · Rating 2 out of 5]

the points where my dude was a C̶r̶e̶e̶p̶y̶ Nice guy 👍👍👍
> Tried helping a lost 3 yr old and tried taking her into a closed stall 🤩🤩🤩🥰🥰🥰
> Watched minors in bikinis 😳😩✨
> Tried grabbing a minor's explicit areas 🤩👍
> Raped a little kid 🤧🏳️‍🌈🥰
> Attempted rape 😎🤡
> Pushed a minor off a cliff ☠️🌝💅
> Murder (of a chicken)🙄😪🤠👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨

WOW WHAT A C̶r̶e̶e̶p̶y̶ NICE GUY🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

-Axo