The Mayor of Central Park - Hardcover

Avi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 006000682X ISBN 13: 9780060006822

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

Synopsis

To look at Oscar Westerwit, you might think, Hey, just another New York City squirrel. Only thing is, you'd be wrong. . . .

For Oscar, life is good in New York City in the year 1900. He's the Mayor of Central Park -- the greatest place on earth for the squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and other animals who live there. He's the manager of his baseball team, the Central Park Green Sox, and shortstop, too. What could be bad?

Plenty, that's what! Big Daddy Duds, jewel thief, all-round thug, and leader of rats, is about to invade the park with five hundred of his closest friends. And when he does, the other animals who live there will be turned out of their homes. Everyone looks to the Mayor to save them, but he may not even be able to save himself from the invaders.   The Mayor of Central Park is a rich and fragrant evocation of old New York, with a community of animals who are as lively as characters in a Damon Runyon story, brought to life in a blend of humor and heartbreak that is vintage Avi.

About this title

About the Author:

Avi's many award-winning books for young readers include the Newbery Medal winner Crispin: The Cross of Lead, as well as the Newbery Honor Books nothing but the truth and the true confessions of charlotte doyle. He is the author of the beloved Poppy books, an animal adventure series that includes Ragweed, Poppy (winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award), Poppy and Rye, Ereth's Birthday, and Poppy's Return. His critically acclaimed novels also include Don't You Know There's a War On? and the hilarious animal fantasy The Mayor of Central Park. Avi lives in Denver, Colorado.

From Booklist:

Gr. 3-6. Avi reinvents himself with every book, and this lighthearted venture is no exception. The time is 1900; the place is New York City's Central Park; the protagonist is a dapper squirrel named Oscar Westerwit, who is the locus of sociability and the manager of the Central Park Green Sox baseball team. Unfortunately, trouble's a-brewin' with the team. Oscar's star pitcher has gone missing, and an army of rats, led by the nefarious Big Daddy Duds, has invaded the park and cut down the tree where Oscar's mother lives. Twinned to this plot is the story of Duds' sweet, sassy daughter, Maud, who leaves the family home to find a better, more wholesome life as a nurse. Oscar tries to save the park from the rats, Maud and baseball help serve up the thrilling denouement, and the whole thing is written in delicious period slang ("youse" and "dear boy" and "this ain't too half bad"). A quick, fun period piece. GraceAnne DeCandido
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About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 006000682X
• ISBN 13: 9780060006822
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208
• Illustrator: Floca Brian