I really enjoyed this story of a young boy in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. This is the area where river boats and railroads off loaded their supplies to warehouses, which were then distributed to area stores and restaurants. It is currently a very active shopping area of the city. Mike's family owns an Italian supply warehouse which kept them eating during the depression. Things at home were difficult in addition to that because Grandpa had dementia and had to be watched. Many, many issues are interwoven to create this interesting story that boys would probably enjoy more. The author's note in the back of the book provides historical information. ( )

Macaroni Boy
By: Katherine Ayres

Summary: Mike Costa is a sixth-grade boy living in Pittsburgh during the time of the Depression. A boy Any Simms teases Mike calling him “macaroni boy” because family makes a living selling wholesale groceries. Mike’s grandpap becomes seriously ill and he begins throwing up blood. Around the same time dead rats start to appear in the streets and the tormenting from Andy gets worse. Mike believes there is a connection with the dead rats and his grandpap. With the help of his best friend Joseph Ryan, they try to solve the mystery. One day Mike sees Andy throwing up in the boy’s room and notices that there is blood in his through up also. Mike befriends Andy and finds out that the illness is being caused by the fish in the Allegheny River which the city had been dumping chemical waste into.

Personal Reaction: I really enjoyed this story, the book was wonderfully written.

Classroom Extension Ideas: This book could be used to introduce the Depression. Students could also share things that their best friends have helped them with.