The Crossings (Mom's Choice Award Recipient) Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Grand Prize Winner Great Southeast Book FestivalMom's Choice Award--Young Adult Books--Fiction Hollywood Book Festival Runner UP Best YA Fiction Runner Up New England Book Festival Best YA Novel Runner Up Best YA Fiction New York Book FestivalSan Francisco Book Festival Honorable MentionReaders' Favorite Bronze International Book Award--Best YA Coming of Age Literary Classics International Book Awards Seal of Approval Captivating story of a boy and a dream set in the 1930s. His family struggles to survive and Georgie helps out with a job after school and he is an acolyte in his church. He plans to hop a freight train to New Orleans to see Mardi Gras and is determined nothing will stop him. His adventure is fraught with danger, new friends, and gives him an experience of a lifetime. Based on a true story, all ages will enjoy this story of riding the rails and the rich culture of New Orleans. THE GREAT SOUTHEAST BOOK FESTIVAL NAMES THE CROSSINGS FOR TOP HONORS LOS ANGELES_ The story of a young boy's daring adventure riding the rails to New Orleans and Mardi Gras is the grand prize winner of the 2015 Great Southeast Book Festival. The Crossings by Barry Kienzle is a fiction novel based on a journey taken by the author's father in 1932. Georgie is an altar boy, but he hops a freight train and is determined that nothing will stop him from seeing Mardi Gras in the Big Easy. The colorful characters and the vivid setting make a perfect young adult novel.
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Headline Books, Inc. (May 16, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0938467972
ISBN-13: 978-0938467977
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,941,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #60 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Religious > Christian > Family #277 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Religious > Christian > Action & Adventure
I thoroughly enjoyed The Crossings. I found it to be a very easy read that grabbed my attention on page one and kept it throughout the book. Based on a true story, we read about a young boys problems and the lessons he learned on his amazing adventure. Lessons that enabled him to live a rich and rewarding life.
George Martin, or Georgie, as his friends call him, is an inquisitive and energetic twelve year old boy growing up in the 1930s. Wherever Georgie is you will likely find his best friend Schmitty, who seems to possess a bit more common sense than his counterpart. Yet more often than not, Georgie seems to wrangle Schmitty into joining him in stirring up trouble of any kind.So when Georgie decides to hitch the rails from their home-town in northern Kentucky to Louisiana for Mardi Gras, Schmittyâs instincts tell him itâs a bad idea. But he soon realizes Georgie is determined to go with or without him, so Schmitty decides to tag along. But things donât go quite as planned, and soon Georgie finds himself alone and without food, supplies or money.The Crossings is based on the true story of the authorâs fatherâs personal experience as a young boy. Author Barry Kienzle brings to life Georgieâs thrilling, but terrifying travels as experienced through the eyes of this daring young man. Young boys especially will relate to Georgieâs thrill-seeking whims. Along the way he has many close calls including run-ins with the notorious railroad âbullsâ (hired to keep hobos off the trains), being chased by a gang of ruffians, and finding himself penniless during an era when few had anything to spare.Despite his dire situation, he encounters people who are willing to help in whatever small ways they can while offering advice to help him along his journey. While Georgie doesnât always heed the warnings of others, he does manage to listen and learn from the many people he encounters on his amazing adventure.
A wonderful and inspiring "feel good" story, that accentuates throughout the text the positive side of human nature. A "Stand By Me" meets "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." The author, and maybe even more so, the protagonist, must have been inspired by Mark Twain.Not only is this novel a tribute to his Father, but this author's original offering is one that would have made his Dad proud.A "piece of Americana", this novel is a must for all pre-teens and a great escape for most adults. A novel that the "Man in White" would have been proud of.Dr. Stanley E. Toompas, Optometrist& Author of, "I'm the One the Other Isn't"
"The Crossings" is a fast-paced and enjoyable story about a young boy's adventure traveling to New Orleans for Mardi Gras during the depression. It also contains a wonderful message about helping others, or appreciating the help that we receive, as we go through life. I particularly recommend this book for someone looking for a "quick read" for an activity like going to the beach or while traveling.
What a fun coming-of-age story that is set in the 1930's, but still applies to its readers today! Georgie, the protagonist, is determined to go against his mother and teachers, and hops a freight train to New Orleans. Little does he know that this journey will turn him into a young man...from naive to wise, from immature to mature. He learns that we all have 'crossings' or obstacles in our lives that we must overcome. He definitely loses his childhood innocence but what he gains is far more significant. He sees how important his family and friends are to him, and he cannot wait to get back home. I think we can all relate to that!This book is great for all ages. I think it would be especially appealing to young adults and most recently won a Mom's Choice Award.
Barry Kienzle writes a well-researched historical coming-of-age novel set during the Great Depression in the Greater Cincinnati Area and New Orleans, Louisiana. The protagonist, George Martin, encounters unexpected growth as a result of challenging familial circumstances and chance encounters as he embarks on a classical hero's journey. The Crossings or intersections that litter George's path are life-changing as he struggles to accept the adult responsibility that has interrupted his carefree childhood. Although George suffers significant loss, he also gains in ways in which he could not have possibly anticipated. Kienzle's novel reminds us that, amid life's disappointments, there are many blessings. Young readers as well as mature ones would enjoy the adventure and could benefit from the important thematic lessons presented in The Crossings.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Crossings." I felt I was right there in the boxcar with Georgie on his adventure to New Orleans and the Mardi Gras! The author's detailed description of the countryside was amazing. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the possibility of a follow-up story in the near future.John C.
Everything about the story kept me interested. I felt a connection with the main character, Georgie. Looking forward to more books from the author, Barry Kienzle.
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