COUNTDOWN

It is 1962 and eleven year old Franny Chapman is worried about her friendship with best friend Margie, why her teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez doesn't call on her to read aloud, her older sister Jo Ellen's mysterious new friends, and what will happen if the Soviet Union strikes the United States with nuclear missiles. Told with gentleness and good humor, Franny's story is enriched by images and words taken from the period, which provide a real sense of the times. Nancy Schleh