Cub
Author: Cynthia L. Copeland
Age range: 8-12
Reviewer: Jeanette Perkins aka Beeba
It is the early 1970s. Twelve-year-old Cindy has is entering seventh-grade with all its drama. There are the Predators (bullies) and the Prey (everyone else) and Cindy is intent on staying under the bullies’ radar. Her life changes dramatically when her English teacher sets her up as cub reporter with a female reporter at the local newspaper. Cindy embraces her role as a cub reporter and learns quickly from her mentor. The other parts of her life are changing too. She experiences first love, loss of a best friend and bullying.
Cub is presented in comic strip form with many clever illustrations. This time frame covers the Watergate scandal, Vietnam and the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. The struggle for girls is spotlighted as Cindy’s father is always encouraging her brothers to aspire to great careers while her mom and Cindy do traditional women’s tasks. It is also evident that Cindy’s mentor is one of the only female reporters at the paper. When Cindy first starts working with her mentor, she is given low-level assignments.
Cub is a great book to talk to tween grands (especially girls) about the struggles they face and how far women have come since the 1970s. There is a lot of humor thrown in so it does not get too dark. Cindy does not always make the best choice and this book shows that is ok.
About the author:
Cynthia L. Copeland is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 books, including Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me and The Diaper Diaries. Her books have sold more than a million copies in eight languages, and have been featured on Good Morning America, selected for Oprah’s “O List” in O: The Oprah Magazine, and recommended by Ann Landers. Ms. Copeland lives in New Hampshire with her family.
About the reviewer:
Jeanette Perkins is the grandmother of two adorable grandsons. She lives in beautiful St Pete Beach, FL. Jeanette is a book and product reviewer for GRAND and is looking forward to reviewing lots of new and useful books and products for all us grandparents.
If you have a product for boomer grandparents and or their grandkids, tell us all about it in an email to editor@grandmagazine.com.