James Sturm's America: God, Gold, and Golems - Hardcover

Grade 10 Up–Sturm presents three vignettes set in distinct places and times in U.S. history. The Revival showcases the desperation and despair felt by settlers on the frontier. The promise of second chances and the hope for a better life are offered not only by the religious spirit of the revival, but also by the opportunity to begin again someplace new. In Hundreds of Feet below Daylight, gold is a powerful lure that also offers hope of a better life. Sturm illuminates the wishes, antipathies, and fears of a mining town, punctuated by many acts of violence. The Golem's Mighty Swing, previously published as a stand-alone book, rounds out the collection. Hucksterism and prejudice collide when a down-and-out Jewish baseball team allows an unscrupulous promoter to costume a player from the Negro Leagues as the golem to draw crowds. A potential riot ends up washed out–miraculous or just good luck? The black-and-white art varies, from smooth lines and gray shading in Golem to a rougher look reminiscent of woodblock printing in Revival. Sturm ably captures his characters' emotions and reveals motivation with telling details. These stories will be best appreciated by readers familiar with–or curious about–the American past.–Susan Salpini, formerly at TASIS–The American School in England
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