Synopses & Reviews
From Newbery Medalist Avi comes the thrilling and suspenseful story of an ordinary American family who falls under suspicion during the 1950s Red Scare.
It’s 1951, and twelve-year-old Pete Collison is a regular kid who loves detective stories and radio crime dramas. When an FBI agent shows up at Pete’s doorstep, accusing Pete’s father of being a Communist, Pete is caught in a real-life mystery. Could there really be Commies in his family?
PRAISE FOR CATCH YOU LATER, TRAITOR:
“Suspenseful . . . Authentic period details--such as popular radio programs and the ongoing rivalry between the Dodgers and the Giants--add a colorful backdrop to Pete’s quest as he navigates the murky gray area between truth and fiction. An excellent introduction to the frenzy of the McCarthy era.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Avi, a master of historical fiction, vividly recreates not only the neighborhoods and pop culture of period Brooklyn, but the runaway paranoia that dominated daily life in the early years of the Cold War. With each clue Pete uncovers, the tension picks up, engaging readers in solving the dual mystery of his father’s past and identifying his accuser whose name is kept a well-concealed surprise until the last moment . . . As a mystery, historical fiction, and love letter to 1950s Brooklyn, this novel succeeds on every level." —School Library Journal, starred review
“Avi’s tale of one Brooklyn family living in a time of intolerance effectively explores the natures of suspicion, loyalty, and freedom, following a young protagonist who comes to learn the importance of freedom of speech and ‘staying true to your own thoughts.’” —The Horn Book Magazine
“An involving, twisty mystery, grounded by the palpable emotional threat of Pete’s father being taken away. An accomplished historical mystery by one of kid lit’s most reliable craftspeople.” —Booklist
“Thought-provoking . . . Avi builds Pete’s story, told in the first person, with page-turning tension and memorable characters that will leave readers with a strong sense of the insidious power wielded by the FBI and McCarthyites.” —Kirkus Reviews
A Spring 2015 Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Synopsis
From Newbery Medalist Avi comes the thrilling and suspenseful story of an ordinary American family that falls under suspicion in 1950s New York. When twelve-year-old Pete Collison is labeled a communist by his teacher, he sets out to discover the truth about his family.
About the Author
Born and raised in New York City, Avi was educated in local schools before going to the Midwest to complete his education. He is part of a family of writers extending back into the nineteenth century. It was his twin sister--also a writer--who gave him the name Avi, because she was unable or unwilling to use the name his parents had given him--Edward. Avi flunked out of the first high school he attended and was sent to a private school. At the end of his second year, the English teacher informed his parents that he was “the worst student he’d ever had.” Tutoring was required. It was that tutor who got him interested in writing. At first, Avi chose to write for the theater. Not until he had children of his own did he turn to writing for young people. Avi’s first book, Things That Sometimes Happen, was published in 1970. Since then Avi has published seventy-four books, the latest being Catch you Later, Traitor. Avi lives in Clark, Colorado, in a log house high in the Rocky Mountains, with his wife, Linda, who is an inventor. No cell phones. No mail delivery. Just a beautiful, quiet place.