IMOGENE’S LAST STAND

Armed with gumption and grit, a young history maven takes on her town to prevent the historical society’s demolition. Imogene’s first words were: “Four score and seven years ago.” During her kindergarten show-and-tell, she gave lectures on women in history. After refurbishing the forgotten Liddleville Historical Society, Imogene discovers the Society is slated for destruction to make way for a shoelace factory. Announcing boldly “I have not yet begun to fight,” Imogene mounts an epic campaign to save the Society. She spouts quotes from historical figures, argues with the mayor, alerts the town in her Paul Revere costume, posts signs and drops flyers. But no one cares and the bulldozers approach—until she uncovers a letter from George Washington that changes everything. Fleming peppers the text with famous quotes that add a layer of historical depth to the story while Carpenter’s amusing, active and detailed pen-and-ink–and–digital-media illustrations follow determined, resolute, bespectacled Imogene through Liddleville as she campaigns to save her town’s heritage and makes a little history of her own. (historical notes) (Picture book. 4-8)