Fuse # 8 (Elizabeth Bird)

This is one of the finer titles of the year, no question. Well-researched, well-written, and certainly bound to be well-loved.

School Library Journal
A compelling story of resourcefulness, loss, and the healing power of friendship. 

Booklist
… the intriguing history of the illness and the powerful first-person voice will propel readers through to the novel’s deeply satisfying conclusion.

Horn Book
The characters’ authentic reactions result in a compelling story about rebuilding a family during a time of illness and war. An author’s note provides historical background. 

Children’s Literature
This fascinating book will keep the reader captivated until the very last page.

Kirkus
Chock full of life, history and character development.

The Kutztown University Book Review
The story is excellently researched, allowing readers to discover real facts about important historical events and people of the time, such as polio, World War II, segregation, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt; it would also be excellent for use in a classroom, as the author provides an author’s note explaining what was real in the story and what wasn’t, and also an extensive resources list, including books and videos.

VOYA
This memorable tale of the healing power of family and friendship is highly recommended for school and public libraries serving middle school and high school students. 

Children’s Literature
The author’s notes are both educational and fascinating. A must have for anyone studying this period or anyone wanting a compelling read.

 The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
… this is three-hankie historical fiction about a truly grim time in American history, but Hostetter manages to avoid too much sentiment by focusing on Ann Fay’s determination and common sense in the face of hard times…. An informative author’s note and extensive bibliography are included.