The Depression is taking its toll on Beans's family in Key West. No money, not enough to eat, no shoes, and, worst of all, no father around because he's looking for work up north. Beans is a tough, entrepreneurial kid. So he finds ways to make money. And, hey, maybe it's not all exactly legal. Or morally defensible. But Beans has to do what he has to do. Even if it means changing babies' diapers and telling a lot of whoppers.

This is great historical fiction, rich with details and facts. And fun to read to boot. The ending was a little abrupt for me, but overall I think kids are going to really like this.

Random thought: Is Beans sort of like a [a:Gary Schmidt|6891947|Gary Schmidt|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] hero? Checklist:

-Distinct, vernacular voice
-Sort of a tough guy vibe, like nothing bothers him
-But his actions betray a sensitive heart of gold

I'm thinking mostly of similarities between Beans and Doug in [b:Okay for Now|9165406|Okay for Now|Gary D. Schmidt|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1388860777s/9165406.jpg|14044509]. ( )

1930's key west, in the height of the Great Depression. Based on stories from the author's family, true events in Key West, and chock full of amusing language from the time. It's very little Rascals-esque, deliberately so, with main character Beans, his sidekick brother Kermit, best friend Pork Chop and their marble-winning gang. No girls allowed, the movies are king, and every adventure involving local kid Too Bad always ends badly. There are some good lessons (about making non criminal choices, about the power of the community working together to better everyone's lives, about paying attention to people in the shadows), there are some funny moments and unexpected adventures, and a little dog, too. ( )

The story takes place during the Great Depression in Key West. It’s about a scrappy young boy named Beans Curry and his gang of friends who struggle with poverty and have many adventures trying to earn a few coins to feed themselves.

Key West is full of garbage, parents are out of work, and some adults going to great lengths to earn money, including smuggling booze. During the novel, Beans tries to earn cash by selling cans and bottles. When that doesn’t work out well, he tries some questionable work for an unsavory character. He finds his escape from reality at the movies, playing marbles with his gang, and in sweet treats that he earns helping a struggling mom. Beans often ends up caring for his younger siblings, and though it makes him crazy, he’s good at it.

A wealthy government official arrives in Key West in his underwear (aka Bermuda shorts) has big plans to turn rundown Key West into a tourist hot spot. He asks for help from the children running wild, and Beans thinks his ideas are crazy. Ultimately, Beans has to decide if he wants to stick to his questionable means of earning money, or help try to turn things around.

I LOVED this book. Beans’ relationships with his younger siblings was relatable, his interactions with his peers, the adults, and some interesting characters in the novel really showed his moral growth and development. I had no idea what Key West was like before it was turned into a tourist hot spot, and this helped to show how these New Deal developers worked. It also helped to make the Great Depression real. ( )

Beans and his gang live in Key West during the Great Depression. He's learned that adults lie. His unemployed father is often gone seeking work, and his mother takes in laundry to help make ends meet. Beans often works for "Winky" who always cheats him. The town's buildings are in need of facelifts, and the economy is so poor, garbage service is no longer available. There's just a bad-smelling garbage dump. One day a man saying he's working for the president rolls into town. He plans to turn Key West into a tourist destination. I'll leave the rest of the story for you to find out. It's a great piece of historical fiction for young readers. They'll enjoy the gang and their marble-playing and perhaps learn a little about the Great Depression and the Works Progress Administration in the process. I listened to the audiobook read by Kirby Heyborne and found it a perfect way to enjoy the book. ( )

It took me a long time to get into this one, and I found it easy to put down (as evidenced by the month it took me to finish). But the second half really picks up and I suspect the characters and setting will stay with me for a while. ( )