Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books:

"It’s 1962 and Joanna has a lot on her mind: the concerns of sixth grade (boy-girl parties, fake nails, and what to say to the cute boy), the struggles of her single mother, and the scary old woman who lives above Joanna’s basement apartment. Heavier on her mind than any of these, though, is the departure of her beloved brother Sam, who enlisted in the Navy, breaking a promise to Joanna that he would never leave her. Her feelings of hurt and betrayal become ones of intense worry as the Cuban Missile Crisis erupts with Sam smack dab in the action. Very much a growing child’s view of the world, and very much of an era (Joanna’s love of Top 40 music adds nice atmospheric detail), this historical novel is both compelling and relatable; readers may not know the fear of needing a shelter room in the event of nuclear war, but they’ll appreciate Joanna’s determination to create such a space and admire her all the more because she does it alone. In uncluttered, almost simplistic prose, Rosengren takes complicated issues of abandonment and war and makes them approachable while still packing an emotional wallop. Put this in the hands of history buffs and fans of serious domestic realism in deceptively simple form."

Voya:

"This story is an eloquent portrayal of the worries of a child at such a terrifying time. There are not many stories for young adults that take place during this tense time in history and Rosengren’s does a lovely job of reflecting the mood at the time. While not gripping, her story is moving and gives young readers a glimpse into a very unique era when the future of the country was uncertain. —Victoria Vogel."

Publishers Weekly:

"Drawing from her own childhood memories, Rosengren (What the Moon Said) writes a quietly tense story set during the Cuban Missile Crisis  Rosengren’s judicious use of details evokes a strong sense of the 1960s, and while some readers will already be aware of how history played out, they’ll find it easy to share Joanna’s feelings of nervousness, helplessness, and hope. Ages 8–12."

Booklist

As true to the period as the many references to 1960s songs and TV shows, the intensifying fear of nuclear war affects adults as well as Joanna and her friends during the seven-day span of the novel. In an author’s note, Rosengren relates that her experiences as a 12-year-old during the Cuban missile crisis inspired the book. This accessible, competently written novel portrays a young character living through a national crisis that precipitates personal growth. — Carolyn Phelan"

February School Library Connection:

"Rosengren's second novel blends realistic fiction and history; it addresses the life of Joanna at the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The plot moves quickly; Rosengren is able to take a complex subject and personalize it for students. This title would be a great addition to any school or public library or for use in an English or Social Studies course." ~ Jennifer Flaherty, Teacher Librarian, Beachwood (Ohio) High School Recommended