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57 pages 1 hour read

Until They Bring The Streetcars Back

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1991

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Book Brief

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Stanley Gordon West

Until They Bring The Streetcars Back

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1991
Book Details
Pages

276

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

St. Paul, Minnesota • 1940s

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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Super Short Summary

Until They Bring the Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon West follows high school senior Cal Gant in 1949 St. Paul, Minnesota, as he forms a close bond with his classmate Gretchen Lutterman after learning about the abuse she faces at home. Cal embarks on a mission to protect her, navigating the complexities of adolescence, resilience, and compassion amid challenging and mature issues. Discussions of parent-child sexual abuse, infanticide, animal abuse, bullying, suicide ideation, adoption, divorce, ableism, and cavalier references to mental health are present.

Suspenseful

Emotional

Challenging

Dark

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.4

2,650 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews for Until They Bring The Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon West highlight compelling characters and a nostalgic depiction of 1940s St. Paul. Readers appreciate the engaging plot and emotional depth, though some critique the pacing and predictability. Overall, it’s praised for its warmth and historical accuracy, effectively capturing a bygone era.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Until They Bring The Streetcars Back?

Fans of historical fiction layered with suspense and romance will enjoy Stanley Gordon West's Until They Bring The Streetcars Back. Readers who appreciate The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak will find themselves captivated by its 1940s setting and complex characters navigating life's challenges.

4.4

2,650 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

276

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

St. Paul, Minnesota • 1940s

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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