Mobley, Jeannie. Bobby
Lee and the Criminal Element. Holiday House 2017 228p
$16.95 ISBN 978-0-8234-3781-8 elem/ms
Historical Fiction E-BN
When Bobbie Lee becomes an
orphan at age 13 in 1929, he decides that his future lies as a criminal working
for a famous Chicago gang. His pickpocketing skills should allow him to be
useful to mob leaders. He boards a steam-powered train and finds himself
investigating a murder that happened in New Orleans, his hometown. Also
traveling on the train are three men and a widow with her baby, all potential
suspects in the widow’s husband’s death. Details on train travel in the early
20th century flow smoothly into the story, as do descriptions of the changing
countryside between Louisiana and Chicago. Also incorporated into this
historical novel are facts about Jim Crow laws and Prohibition and how these
institutions affected daily life. A compelling mystery drives the story, which
has an authentic feel and maintains consistent tension and danger within a
framework of soulful contemplation about whether Bobbie Lee is suited to be a
criminal or not. Believable supporting characters and some humorous moments as
well as historical facts make this a perfect historical novel. A great book to
accompany social studies units on race relations in the 1920s and the effects
of the Jim Crow laws. An addendum explains the inspiration for the story as
well as historical facts about race relations, jazz, and railroad life in the
1920s. Strongly recommended as an adjunct to teaching about Prohibition or Jim
Crow laws and their impact on people.
Summary: Bobbie Lee, 13
years old, decides to travel to Chicago to become a criminal in a famous gang.
His trip via railroad from New Orleans to Chicago is packed with action and
mystery. The novel refers to the Jim Crow Laws and to facts about steam
railroads. Grades 4-8.
Mystery-Fiction,
Prohibition, Jim Crow-Fiction --Lois
McNicol
No comments:
Post a Comment