Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey

* "A hundred years from now, when people want to know what we told our children about 9/11, Kalman's book should be among the first answers."--Booklist, starred review

* "Intelligently conveys those unfathomable events in a way that a picture book audience can comprehend. . . . With this inspiring book, Kalman sensitively handles a difficult subject in an age-appropriate manner."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Fireboat does many things. It sets forth an adventure, helps commemorate an anniversary, offers an interesting bit of history, celebrates the underdog, and honors the fire-fighting profession. Children and adults will respond to it in as many ways."--School Library Journal, starred review

* "Exciting, uplifting, and child-sensitive. . . . Revisits the tragedy without the terror and conveys pride without preachiness.--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

* "Quintessential New York artist Kalman gives us an idiosyncratic but informative look at a Big Apple institution. . . . Kalman's use of the events of September 11 is honest and honorable, and rarely is she as straightforward as she is here."--The Horn Book, starred review

This is the inspiring true story of the John J. Harvey--a retired New York City fireboat reinstated on September 11, 2001. Originally launched in 1931, the Harvey was the most powerful fireboat of her time. After the September 11 attacks, with fire hydrants at Ground Zero inoperable and the Hudson River's water supply critical to fighting the blaze, the fire department called on the Harvey for help. There were adjustments--forcing water into hoses by jamming soda bottles and wood into nozzles with a sledgehammer--and then the fireboat's volunteer crew pumped much-needed water to the disaster site. The John J. Harvey proved she was still one of New York's Bravest

Maira Kalman brings a New York City icon to life, celebrating the energy, vitality and hope of a place and its people.

Author: Maira Kalman
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 08/05/2002
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 10.10h x 10.20w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780399239533
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.1
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 63491 / Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey


Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Buckaroo Book Award - Nominee
Award: Monarch Award - Nominee
Award: Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards - Winner
Award: Parents Choice Award (Fall) (1998-2007) - Winner
Award: Bookseller's Choice - Winner
Award: Children's Books of Distinction Awards - Winner
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Red Clover Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 08/01/2002 pg. 1133
Publishers Weekly 07/29/2002 pg. 71
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2002 pg. 596
School Library Journal 09/01/2002 pg. 214
New York Times 09/29/2002 pg. 27
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2002 pg. 63
Booksense '76 Childrens Wtr 02 11/01/2002 pg. 1
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2003 pg. 797
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2003 pg. 1309
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2002 pg. 198 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 198 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
Booklist 09/01/2002 pg. 113

About the Author
In her own words: born. bucolic childhood. culture-stuffed adolescence. played piano. stopped. danced. stopped. wrote. discarded writing. drew. reinstated writing. married Tibor Kalman and collaborated at iconoclastic yet successful design studio. wrote and painted children's books. worried. took up Ping-Pong. relaxed. wrote and painted for many magazines. cofounded the Rubber Band Society. amused. children: two. dog: one.
In her own words: born. bucolic childhood. culture-stuffed adolescence. played piano. stopped. danced. stopped. wrote. discarded writing. drew. reinstated writing. married Tibor Kalman and collaborated at iconoclastic yet successful design studio. wrote and painted children's books. worried. took up Ping-Pong. relaxed. wrote and painted for many magazines. cofounded the Rubber Band Society. amused. children: two. dog: one.