Overview

Julia Iannacito gazes at her fifth-grade McGuffery Reader and wishes school weren't so boring. If only something special, something out of the ordinary, would happen! Her wish comes true, but in a way she never imagined. The labor troubles in nearby Ludlow spill over into the coal mine where her father works. Julia is suddenly the only one who can avert a disaster and save her father. Filled with vivid historical details, this fast-paced story tells of Julia's struggles, both as a young immigrant, and as the daughter of a poor coal miner. The story introduces the reader, in an age-appropriate fashion, to the Colorado labor struggles and the immigrant experience. Out of the Ordinary is set during the 1914 Ludlow massacre. The author's grandmother, Julia, lived in a boxcar and attended a one-room school in Phippsburg, Colorado. The main characcter in this book and the events portrayed are based on accounts the author's grandmother told the author.

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9780865410084

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Reviews

Covering only two days in April 1914, Barone successfully portrays the life and issues of the era. When Julia uncovers a plot at the mine and tries to protect her father, a series of events ensue that lead to a sad but pleasantly unexpected ending. Building on actual historical accounts from her grandmother, Barone envisions how the miner's strike and massacre in Ludlow would affect smaller mining towns. The reader feels the harsh cold of late winter, experiences the language barriers both adults and children faced, and understands the social stratifications based on wealth, national origin and gender present throughout the community. -Kirkus Discovery Review A must-have for classrooms in grades 4 through 8. -Paula Bennett, Reading Support Teacher

Covering only two days in April 1914, Barone successfully portrays the life and issues of the era. When Julia uncovers a plot at the mine and tries to protect her father, a series of events ensue that lead to a sad but pleasantly unexpected ending. Building on actual historical accounts from her grandmother, Barone envisions how the miner's strike and massacre in Ludlow would affect smaller mining towns. The reader feels the harsh cold of late winter, experiences the language barriers both adults and children faced, and understands the social stratifications based on wealth, national origin and gender present throughout the community. -Kirkus Discovery Review A must-have for classrooms in grades 4 through 8. -Paula Bennett, Reading Support Teacher

Author Information

Michelle M. Barone taught third and fifth grades for 17 years. She was the 2009 elementary principal of the year in Aurora Public Schools and received the Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching and the Chemical Manufacturers Catalyst Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. The Capitol Ghost Mystery was the 2013 One Book/One Denver Award Winner and was on the 2011 Colorado Children's Book Award List. Her first novel for middle grade readers, Out Of the Ordinary, went into a third printing during its first year. She is the author of numerous picture books, and her articles and stories have appeared in Happiness, Boys' Quest, Hopscotch, Wee Ones E-Magazine, Highlights, and Spider. Michelle lives in Denver, Colorado, where she enjoys running, playing guitar, and writing stories for kids. Contact her through her website - michellebaroneauthor.com

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