LitPick Review
This book centers around Emily Soper, a young girl with a very curious nature. Emily is extremely excited when her Papa, a well-known maker of carriages, begins an order for President Teddy Roosevelt himself. Unfortunately, all her mother wants to do is make her into a lady, which Emily certainly does not want. The book delves into the racism present in her community and how automobiles may be threatening her family's way of life. Read Wheels of Change to follow Emily as she struggles to cope with this rapidly changing world.
Opinion:
I really enjoyed this book, from start to finish. I found myself swept up by the plethora of compelling characters, the interesting yet believable setting, and a story line I couldn’t resist. I especially loved how relatable the main character, Emily, is. She is passionate about fighting for justice, but doesn't alienate others in the process.
The historical morsels layered into the story make it all the more interesting. One of my favorite parts is the introduction of corn flakes to Emily’s life. It is interesting to see how this new food is a relief for Emily’s mother as this cereal has an advantage of not needing to be heated up to be enjoyable.
Both girls and boys will relate to this coming-of-age story set in the final days of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. Along the way, children will learn many things about the way life used to be, and they will have a great time doing so.
