Any book that includes inspiring quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr., William Morris, Chief Joseph, and Eleanor Roosevelt on its endpapers makes me sit up and take notice. Readers will quickly discover that these quotes are sayings that provide inspiration for Imogene, the book's determined heroine. A lover of history, Imogene engages in a fruitless battle against the authorities as she tries to save Liddleville, New Hampshire's historical society from being razed in order to put up a shoelace factory. I loved how she never gives up, even contacting a historian and locking herself in the stocks as the bulldozers draw closer. The pen-and-ink and digital media illustrations bring a smile to my face as I see how determined that little girl is and think about how much each one of us can do to change our corner of the world. I also liked the fact that her father seemed to support her in her efforts. We need more parents just like him. So you're going to knock down the local historical society to build a shoelace factory (it'll put the town on the map!)? Huh. Look out. Imogene's making her stand.Entirely dig that Imogene is baby Leslie Knope. 4th-6th grade, mostly because it's a little longer for young grades and that's about when they'll start understanding some of the references. Not going to get all of them, but hey there teacher/librarian/parent, how about a little research project?
Do You like book Imogene's Last Stand (2009)?
This would be the best readaloud to open up a Social Studies class at the beginning of the year.
—dharu
I found this book to be entertaining and very cute. I enoyed the illustrations.
—potctk
