The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle audiobook

The Art of Keeping Cool

By Janet Taylor Lisle
Read by Charles Carroll

Blackstone Publishing, Blackstone Publishing
5.28 Hours • • 1
Format : Digital Download (In Stock)
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    ISBN: 9781482983210

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    ISBN: 9781482158564

It’s World War II, and fear permeates the Rhode Islandcoastal town where Robert, his mother, and sister are living out the war withhis paternal grandparents. It is fear of Nazi submarines offshore; fear ofAbel Hoffman, a German artist living reclusively outside of town; and forRobert, a more personal fear, of his hot-tempered, controlling grandfather. As Robert watches the townspeople’s hostility towardHoffman build, he worries about the friendship that his sensitive cousin Elliothas with the artist. And he wonders more and more about the family secreteveryone seems to be keeping from him—a secret involving Robert’s father, abomber pilot in Europe. Will Elliot’s ability to detach himself from theturmoil around him be enough to sustain him when prejudice and suspicions eruptinto violence? And can Robert find his own way to deal with the shocking truthabout his family’s past?

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Summary

Summary

Winner of the 2001 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

An ALA Notable Book for 2001

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book for 2001

It’s World War II, and fear permeates the Rhode Islandcoastal town where Robert, his mother, and sister are living out the war withhis paternal grandparents. It is fear of Nazi submarines offshore; fear ofAbel Hoffman, a German artist living reclusively outside of town; and forRobert, a more personal fear, of his hot-tempered, controlling grandfather.

As Robert watches the townspeople’s hostility towardHoffman build, he worries about the friendship that his sensitive cousin Elliothas with the artist. And he wonders more and more about the family secreteveryone seems to be keeping from him—a secret involving Robert’s father, abomber pilot in Europe. Will Elliot’s ability to detach himself from theturmoil around him be enough to sustain him when prejudice and suspicions eruptinto violence? And can Robert find his own way to deal with the shocking truthabout his family’s past?

Editorial Reviews

Editorial Reviews

“This a powerful story of World War II at home, told by a young teenager who comes to question both friends and enemies and finds the dark inside himself… Lisle weaves together the thrilling war action and the spy mystery with the battles in Robert’s family and Robert’s personal struggle with anger, jealousy, guilt, and betrayal. There’s nothing reverential about the portrait of the gifted ‘crackpot’ artist; in fact, all the characters are drawn with subtlety and depth (except, perhaps, the demonized Grandpa). Like Abel’s expressionist art, Lisle’s story shows and tells what’s behind the appearances of things, the ‘hidden feelings and memories, terrors and passions…everyone knows are there but cannot speak about.’” —Booklist
“No happy ending here, but the reader will find a believable and satisfactory resolution.” —Children’s Literature
“Lisle’s novel deftly explores the themes of resentment, prejudice, and secrecy in this historical portrait of a child’s life in wartime. The fears and questions Robert faces are still relevant today. Charles Carroll’s narration is quietly understated, allowing the rhythm and mystery of the author’s prose to carry the story. Also included is an author’s note, which is not found in some print versions. Along with books by Christopher Paul Curtis and Richard Peck, this novel is a solid addition to historical fiction collections.” —School Library Journal (audio review)
“The naval guns sent to coastal Rhode Island in 1942 may have been enormous, but the issues about to face cousins Elliot and Robert are equally monumental…Charles Carroll takes on the role of the adult Robert recounting the events during these war years. He’s even voiced, letting layers of the various familial and town relationships reveal themselves and letting listeners draw their own conclusions. A German painter and a bullying grandfather, both with secrets, impact each boy dramatically. At the climactic moment when the eleven-year-olds and the painter confront paranoia, hatred, and horror, Carroll’s voice takes on strength and resonance. Listeners will have much to ponder.” —AudioFile
“Lisle recreates wartime America, from Rosie the Riveter to early impressionist art with a truly subtle prose. The novel should attract a diverse readership, from mystery and art lovers to fans of World War II fiction. All libraries will want this book on their shelves.” —VOYA
“Despite a misleading title (the word ‘cool’ does not conjure up the 1940s), this is a well-drawn story that is part coming-of-age, part mystery…This is a heartfelt story about family dynamics and the harmful power of prejudice and hatred.” —School Library Journal
“As apt at writing historical fiction as she is at penning fantasy, Lisle weaves together an intriguing web of family secrets and wartime fears while encapsulating the wave of patriotism sweeping the nation in the 1940s. The intimate first-person narrative brings universal themes of prejudice and loss to a personal level as the boys and their artist friend discover the destructive power of war on the home front.” —Publishers Weekly
“Two stunning tragedies are at the center of this story of the WWII home front. Lisle deftly uses the first two chapters to introduce characters and setting…Surrounding the two tragedies, which are never far from the surface, is a finely woven web of secrets, suspicions, prejudice, and fear…Characters are interestingly developed…Briskly plotted, emotionally complex, brutal in incident yet delicately nuanced in the telling, a fine historical fiction.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Hidden family secrets are the main theme of this novel set during WWII in a small Rhode Island town on the Atlantic…Worry over Robert’s father provides a steady amount of suspense. There are several main themes that will appeal to readers: understanding a gifted artist, the home front during WW II, fathers and sons, family secrets. Lisle writes with skill and intelligence, obviously familiar with the setting of this novel.” —Kliatt
“Engrossing, challenging, and well-paced, the novel holds up a mirror to society—for those who dare to look.” —Horn Book (starred review)

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Author

Author Bio: Janet Taylor Lisle

Author Bio: Janet Taylor Lisle

Janet Taylor Lisle is the author of several acclaimed novels for young readers, including The Art of Keeping Cool, winner of the Scott O’Dell Award, and these five School Library Journal Best Books of the Year: Sirens and Spies, The Lampfish of Twill Forest, A Message from the Match Girl, The Lost Flower Children, and Afternoon of the Elves, a Newbery Honor Book. She lives with her family on the coast of Rhode Island.

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Details

Details

Available Formats : Digital Download, Digital Rental
Category: Fiction
Runtime: 5.28
Audience: Children (8–12)
Language: English

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