Catch You Later, Traitor

Mark Turetsky provides just the right noir-style narration for a mystery that takes place in the 1950s. Pete's life is turned upside down when the FBI starts questioning his father about possible Communist activity. Hoping to discern the truth, Pete decides to investigate his family's past. Throughout the story Pete switches to his "detective" point of view--trying to see the world with a new set of eyes--and Turetsky follows suit. As his voice deepens and his pacing slows, listeners are swept up in description and action with the sound of an old-time radio show. Throughout this middle grade mystery Turetsky keeps listeners in suspense. S.B.T. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

Starred review from January 19, 2015
Set in 1951 Brooklyn, Newbery Medalist Avi’s (Crispin: The Cross of Lead) suspenseful novel shows how seventh-grader Pete Collison deals with persecution and paranoia as he searches for answers about his family’s history. It all starts when rumors, initiated by Pete’s teacher, fly about Pete’s father’s affiliation with the Communist Party. Pete stands up for his father, but his classmates turn against him, his best friend’s parents won’t let her speak to Pete, and an FBI agent seems to be watching his every move. Deciding to find out the truth about his father and the informant who turned him in, Pete follows the methods of his favorite gumshoe, Sam Spade, but the clues Pete uncovers are more confusing than enlightening, and the discoveries he makes about certain relatives could hurt his father’s cause. Authentic period details—such as popular radio programs and the ongoing rivalry between the Dodgers and the Giants—add a colorful backdrop to Pete’s quest as he navigates the murky gray area between truth and fiction. An excellent introduction to the frenzy of the McCarthy era. Ages 8–12. Agent: Gail Hochman, Brandt & Hochman.

September 1, 2015

Gr 4-8-It's 1951, and seventh grader Pete Collison lives in a world where stamps cost three cents, the Dodgers are still in Brooklyn, and, fueled by the Korean conflict and Stalin's Soviet Union, Senator McCarthy is looking for stateside communists. Pete's struggles include taunts from his teacher and classmates, who link Pete's dad with the "Red Scare." Also, his favorite author, Dashiell Hammett, is under investigation. Even more upsetting, Pete is being followed by the FBI and his best friend's parents won't let her talk to him. A detective fiction fan, Pete decides to find out who's informing on his father. More questions arise when he sees his dad inexplicably going into a nursing home, and his suspicions grow. When he confronts his father and learns the truth, Pete recognizes that life is more complicated than a novel. Narrator Mark Turetsky effectively communicates a range of New York characters in this entertaining entry into discussions on civil liberties. VERDICT This versatile story is an excellent addition to libraries serving elementary and middle school students.-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT (retired)

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.