I'm Still Scared: A 26 Fairmount Avenue Book

26 Fairmount Avenue #6

by Tomie dePaola

The latest installment in the Newbery Honor-winning series from Tomie dePaola

First-grader Tomie dePaola experiences uncertainty in the weeks following the attack on pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. What are the grown-ups talking quietly about at home and even at school? why does his class have to go to the spooky furnace room for an air raid drill? why does the family hang thick black curtains over the windows? Tomie's mother is there to comfort and explain the confusion, and Tomie feels better. but he's still scared.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, World War II, Autobiography

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm Still Scared covers December 1942, the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attacks for the ordinary citizens of Meriden, Connecticut. It brought back all the feelings for me, being a first grader in September 2001, and the stories of my grandmother, who was a few years older than dePaola. dePaola mentions being bullied for being Italian, and my grandmother was similarly from a recently-immigrated German-speaking family. In his author's note, dePaola writes, "...I never imagined how timely these later books would become as families today experience the same turmoil and concerns of war that I remember as a little boy. I hope you will find my memories of 'The War Years' as moving and vivid as they have been for me." Yes, Tomie, perhaps a little too much. May there be peace in our time.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm Still Scared" is a historical fiction chapter book that highlights a young boy's feelings and life after the events of Pearl Harbor. This book was an easy read when it comes to academic language, but has a heavy topic that needs a lot of prior knowledge for it before reading it. Because of that, I would use this book for 4th or 5th grade classroom.
I would use this book in my classroom if I was doing a lesson on World War 2, specifically about the United States involvement in the war. I would first have to give background knowledge on the events of Pearl Harbor in order for students to understand what the book is talking about. This book would be useful for students to read in order for them to understand what it was life for other children who had to live during that time period and how they felt. Educators could also use this book to point out illustrations, and how they are useful in books.
This book was a WOW for me because I found myself feeling the same emotions that the main character felt during the story. It would hurt me to read about how he felt during that time as a child. It made me realize even more about how scary Pearl Harbor was for them, and how how much WW2 affected them.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this story for a while, a picture book memoir series by author Tomie dePaola, and it's phenomenal. During this book, the US enters into world war II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I'm definitely a believer in studying history and learning from it. I can't wait to read this series to my daughter one day.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment in this heartfelt series. Tomie takes us through his experience of air raid drills, using blackout curtains and shelter seeking. I can’t imagine being a young child coping with this, any more than I can imagine what it feels like to go through lock downs for our nation’s children today.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to be impressed with Tomie dePaola's detailed memories of his childhood. I was interested to learn in his note at the end that he had some help from home movies that his parents took. Still, the level of detail shown in this series is impressive - and even more so because they are simply and clearly written and perfect for young children. It's as if he is able to completely put himself back into the role of young Tomie.

This book is particularly powerful because it takes place from the time that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor to the end of that year - which I believe is the shortest time span of any in the series so far. I loved how many of the adults in Tomie's life helped him to understand what was going on and feel a little better, even though, as he says in the title, he was still scared. And yet it isn't all dark. There is some humor here as well.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it tells real life historical events in ways that a child can relate to and not be scared to explore. I read this with my 3rd grader, and while the reading level is very easy for him, the content, the themes explored, the historical background, was very appropriate for his age. Lovely.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

dh is reading this aloud to the younger ones at bedtime.
We have read nearly all the books in this series and love them. Tomie DePaola is one of our all time favorite authors.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really captures what it was like to experience the start of WWII as a young child. Fascinating, & as always, with fantastic illustrations.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this one was a bit less disjointed than the first and that the slightly longer format to the chapters, paired with journal entries, is the reason.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Granted I missed Books 4 and 5 (drat you, behemoth series fashion), but even so I found this installment scrappy. It deals with Tommy's reactions to the declaration of war and all that entails: blackout curtains, air raid drills etc. The drill was so familiar to me, since in the mid 1960s we were still doing them, along with "duck and cover". The only thing missing was the Nuclear Fallout Shelter symbol, which of course in WW2 was not an issue. But diPaola's writing brought it all back. One thing that made me curious was the "combined second and third grade class" that is mentioned repeatedly. Why did they do that? Was it for slow third graders and advanced second graders, or did they just not have enough money to pay for another teacher?

I liked that Tommy was aware of the whispering adults all around him. So many grownups forget how sharp children's ears and eyes are; they know that whispering means secrets, so what's up over there? And when everyone around you is going aside to whisper, you know something's badly wrong. Mom and Grandpa Tom try to reassure him but war doesn't just go away, particularly when there's the very real possibility that it might come calling where you are.

Published two years after Diary of a Wimpy Kid, diPaolo jumps on the "kid's diary with illustrations" bandwagon. Twelve years later, this trend is tiresome because just eeeeverybody has decided to get in on it. Maybe if I'd read it when it came out, it wouldn't have been so done. Also, I wondered why the author decided to include Roosevelt's post-Pearl Harbour speech. A lot of the vocabulary would be over the heads of many of his "intended audience"--unless of course his intended audience is actually his contemporaries. The narration is very much chopped short, which is a pity, as the author evokes time and place very well.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was just reading an article about explaining the pandemic to kids. Explaining anything to kids can be fraught with difficulties, especially when grownups have to address their own fears at the same time. In this episode, Tomie dePaola gives an extraordinarily empathetic narrative of how all the grownups’ whispered obfuscations about the coming war were far more worrying than the straightforward explanation offered by his mother. Tomie describes the air raid drills, the blackout curtains, the family members turned soldiers, and the beginnings of rationed items. Clearly this time is going to be full of difficulties, but it’s amazing to see the difference it makes to meet the challenge head on instead of ignoring or downplaying it.

And of course there was a Disney movie: Dumbo.

[Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most interesting entry in the series so far, about the first few weeks following Pearl Harbor. I didn’t know that families all over the country immediately bought blackout curtains and schools started doing air raid sirens. The most interesting fact was schools releasing kids early on December 8 so that kids could be with their families to listen to FDR’s speech to Congress, requesting that war be declared. Interesting to think about the psychological impact of the entire nation preparing for war against a common enemy - something that has not happened since.

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was focused on the events right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and how Tommie dealt with it. It broke my heart when he was picked on for being Italian. This one really hit home for me, reminding me of 9-11 and where I was then. And even now as a Hispanic in a country with a president that.....isn't very....kind. I couldn't put this one down and related to Tommie in a way I never have before, even as an adult. Totally recommend this one. It's not only a great history lesson, but a good life lesson.

[Tom Romig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This "26 Fairmount Avenue Book," an entry in Tomie dePaola's delightful autobiographical series, is set in 1941 right after Pearl Harbor. As a second grader he confronts a post Pearl Harbor life: bomb shelters, uncles in uniform, blackout curtains, and fear. Tomie dePaola began this series in 1999, not knowing that 9/11 would strike before he got to his December 7. The period detail is fascinating, especially for those of us who grew up not so long after the events covered.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a treasure. Such a simple and beautiful depiction of American life in the early stages of World War I. Tomie dePaola tells it with the innocence and honesty of a child living in fear and hope. His straightforward presentation of things like blackout curtains in his house and children accusing him of being evil because of his Italian heritage ring out with clarity and plain reality. I wish every child and adult could read this narrative from his own childhood.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last installment of the "26 Fairmont Avenue" series --- this book holds the charm as its predecessors.

What is also fun about reading these nostalgic autobiographical memories is to research and listen or watch the movies or songs a little 4-7 year old Tomie DePaalo experienced as well.

These also come in audiobook form, read by the author prior to his recent passing. He's quite entertaining!

[Sboysen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My third graders loved this book we read to introduce them to the genre of memoirs. This was especially interesting to them as it included diary entries of DePaola and his cute illustrations too. It's surprising how much they learned about WWII from his entertaining narrative.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the books out of order so was wondering a lot with the lack of mention of changes because of the war in 7&8. Well, makes sense now because this focuses a lot on that! He really does a great job explaining tough and scary situations in a way that kids can understand and learn from.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really an excellent book!

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

6th book (and 2nd of the war years) in the 26th Fairmount Ave series. M and R both love this series. It starts a lot of conversation about WWII and geography.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't imagine having to practice air raid drills.

[Samantha Raising Wildflowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

While we loved the earlier books in the series this one was not our favorite. Understandably more serious than the others due to being during WWII.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are a great for illustrating what a typical kid’s life was like in times that were anything but typical.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the series. Tomie begins writing on the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. He and his family went to Mass that next Monday morning, before school, and recited the Prayer for Peace. When they got to school, all any of the kids talked about was how things will never be the same.

At school, amidst the hot, wet wool smell of mittens drying on the radiators, there was an assembly. After they recited the Pledge of Allegiance, it was announced that school was closing early so that everyone could be home with their families to hear the president speak.

It was a time to be with family. Tomie's grandfather, Tom, comforted him by being honest but reassuring with him. Tomie's Uncle Charles announced that he had joined the army.

The next day at school Tomie had his first music lesson. They sang, "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "America the Beautiful."

On the next day of school, Tomie experienced his first air raid drill. Everyone went to the dark and spooky school basement. It brought up new fears for Tomie, but his mom was able to soothe him about it later on. That weekend, after his dance class, he went with his mom to buy fabric for their black-out curtains. Christmas things were on sale. They were assured that they would have a normal Christmas, with lights, but that it would be the last time until the war ended. Tomie wrote, "So, I guess we'd have a Christmas pretty much like the ones we had before. But when I went to bed, I thought about the grownups and children in England. What kind of a Christmas would they have?" (p. 45)

The following week at school, Tomie was told by an older student that he was an ENEMY because he was Italian. Tomie responded that he was also Irish. That night he asked his dad about it. His dad responded, "Okay, Tomie. ...This is what you tell that kid. You are an American. ...Loads and loads of people here in the United STates are genuine Americans, but their ancestors came from other countries--in fact, almost everybody's ancestors came from other places."
"See, all I have to do is ask my dad or my mom or Tom. They always tell me the whole truth!" (p. 51)

That next weekend Tomie went Christmas shopping with his dad. He bought a doll for his sister, a camping kit for his brother, a new corncob pipe and pipe cleaners for his grandpa, new handkerchiefs for Nana in Wallingford and Nana Fall-River. and his dad suggested he buy nylon stockings for his mother since "Nylon stockings will probably be hard to get because of the war. They need all the nylon thread for parachutes." (p. 54)

His father, along with all of the state workers, was asked to take on a "war job" in addition to his regular job of State Barber Examiner of Connecticut. This was historical information I had not known before. His father's new schedule was to work from midnight until 8:30 am at the New Departure ball bearing factory, then on to his job as state examiner. He would get home at about 3 pm and then sleep until 11 at night. "For the whole war, we never saw Dad except on Saturdays and Sundays. When we got home from school, he was asleep. Then he left for work when we were asleep. Dad was always either "upstairs asleep" or "at work."" (p. 67)

On Christmas Eve, "On the way home, Dad decided to drive around a little so we could see people's Christmas decorations and lights.
"We may not see this for a while," he said.
Because of the war, I thought." (p. 71)

During Christmas break, Tomie and his mother saw the brand new movie from Mr. Walt Disney, Dumbo, and another movie, Mr. Bug Goes to Town." Between the features Tomie saw his first newsreel. It was very disturbing to him and his friend Carol, and their mothers quickly ushered them out to comfort them. "I was afraid I would not be able to sleep at night. I was afraid I'd have nightmares about all those destroyed buildings and all the hurt people.
It was the first time I actually saw WAR, even though it was only in the movies." (p. 75)

This part of Tomie's memoirs ends on New Year's Eve. "I heard Mom say on the phone to Nana, "I think Tomie is doing better with everything that is going on."
But dear Diary, even though I feel better, I'm still scared!" (p. 77)

At the end of the book, Tomie includes a copy of President Roosevelt's speech to Congress and the country on December 8, 1941, asking Congress to declare a state of war. I'm sorry to say it was the first time I had read the text of that speech. I couldn't help but cry as I read it aloud to Emma.

What an excellent series.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whereas the events of the book that preceded this one, Things Will Never Be the Same, quickly shuffled through the paces of an entire year on 26 Fairmount Avenue, I'm Still Scared covers only the span of a single month: December 1941, right after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into the mix of World War II.

Young Tomie really doesn't know much about what it means to be in a war. Is his family in imminent danger where they are, just living in their own house? Is there a chance that they could be killed? How much is there to fear that Tomie doesn't yet even know about? Young Tomie's fears are not helped by the fact that so many of the adults around him hesitate to explain to him details of what's happening. This absence of concrete information only breeds more fear in Tomie, and he's fortunate that his parents and extended family aren't reserved about telling him exactly what's going on in his country. As bad as it all is, things turn out not to be nearly as terrible as Young Tomie's fertile imagination had prompted him to think.

This book is more serious than the five that came before it, but still contains some of those charming moments that only Tomie dePaola can create. During the uncertainty of possibly the most terrible war that the world has ever known, and despite the fact that he is still scared even with the plentiful assurances of his loving family to serve as a ballast, Young Tomie finds reasons to smile. Most important of all, he never loses the uniquely charming spark that makes him so easy to love.

I would consider the possibility of two and a half stars for I'm Still Scared.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Tomie dePaola. Tomie is in second grade when the event of Pearl Harbor happens. All the adults in his life are talking quietly about the war and Tomie starts to get scared. Throughout the story Tomie gets better about the idea of war but no matter how much better he feels he is still scared. This is a good chapter book for children to read who are interested in history or about what happen during Pearl Harbor. It gives good information while making it child friendly.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m Still Scared details how Americans reacted in the early days of US involvement in World War II. Tomie is distressed when he must participate in air raid drills at school, and he wonders why some of his classmates suddenly dislike his Italian roots. Thankfully, his mother and grandfather are there to reassure him, and the reader as well. Also interesting in this book are the details of the last Christmas before the war really gets underway, when supplies are still available but will soon become scarce.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5th in a series. I debated about reading this because my daughter is rightfully sensitive about war/violence and we haven't learned much about WWII yet. But, she wanted to read it and I am not sorry we pushed on in the series. The tone continues the same even though the subject matter has changed to the uncertainty and fear bred by the war. The pace also changed in this book, showing in detail the events of December 1941 only.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

dePaola addresses the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Little Tomie is afraid, like most children, at that time. His mom makes black out curtains and Air Raid Drills are practiced at school. This book realistically addresses a child's fears during wartime and of the possibility of foreign attack. dePaola treats every subject with amazing tenderness.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

More autobiographical accounts from Tomie DePaola’s childhood, this time narrating how as a second grader he experienced the time right after the attacks on Pearl Harbor. It made me want to read the other books in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series and also gave me a sense of knowing a bit more about the man who wrote and illustrated such amazing children’s books.