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Joshua's Song
Boston, 1919. It's been a terrible year for thirteen-year-old Joshua Harper. The influenza pandemic that's sweeping the world has claimed his father's life; his voice has changed, so he can't sing in the Boston Boys' Choir anymore; and now money is tight, so he must quit school to get a job. It's not fair!
Joshua begins working as a newspaper boy, hawking papers on the street, but he soon finds himself competing with Charlestown Charlie, a tough, streetwise boy who does not make things easier for Joshua. It seems that fitting in is not as easy as it once was. Then disaster strikes the city of Boston. Joshua must do what he can to help, and in doing so he finds the place -- and the voice -- that he thought he'd lost.
Joshua begins working as a newspaper boy, hawking papers on the street, but he soon finds himself competing with Charlestown Charlie, a tough, streetwise boy who does not make things easier for Joshua. It seems that fitting in is not as easy as it once was. Then disaster strikes the city of Boston. Joshua must do what he can to help, and in doing so he finds the place -- and the voice -- that he thought he'd lost.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 26, 2013
Joshua’s Song by Joan Hiatt Harlow takes place in Boston in 1919. There is an influenza epidemic and many are dying. Sadly, one of those to die of the flu is Josh’s dad. This leaves thirteen year old Josh and his mom to fend for themselves. Left with a lot of debt and many bills they can no longer continue to live the life that they are accustomed to. Josh has to give up going to school and start working and his mom has to take in borders to help pay the bills. To make matters worse, his mom doesn’t want any of their friends to find out Josh is working. When Josh has an encounter with Charlestown Charlie, a paperboy, he becomes involved with the newspaper business. Selling papers on the street is something that Josh has a talent for, but it is hard when he has to give half of his pay to Charlie at the end of each day. Suddenly, tragedy strikes and lives are changed all over Boston. I don’t want to give away the ending, but it is about a part of history I had never heard of!
I would definitely recommend this book to fourth- seventh graders. This book was a quick and interesting read. I like the historical aspects to it and I learned about things I didn’t know about before. Josh is easy to relate to and you can’t help but hope for the best for him. I especially like the fact that the book ends with historical notes. It explains all the parts of the book that are facts and how they were woven into fiction. This book really makes history come to life!
I would definitely recommend this book to fourth- seventh graders. This book was a quick and interesting read. I like the historical aspects to it and I learned about things I didn’t know about before. Josh is easy to relate to and you can’t help but hope for the best for him. I especially like the fact that the book ends with historical notes. It explains all the parts of the book that are facts and how they were woven into fiction. This book really makes history come to life!
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February 28, 2018Joshuas song
This book is about this kid name joshua and he is only 13 and needs to work because there family has only one income which is his mother. Cause his dad died from influenza in 1919
So charlie charlton gave him a job as a new boy. Later during that time angels mom also got sick of the influenza and he took angela's corner for her so she could take care of her mother. That day joshua was thinking of leaving charlie with his papes and be his own owner. At 4:00 am joshua woke up and got the leftovers from last night and cooked it. While walking to angels corner he was thinking of buying his own papes but charlie bought 100 papes for him already so he went to angels tentment and gave her the chicken and the other left overs. When he arrived he gave the food to her and they could smell the molasses tank strongly that day. When they went to the park they saw charliy and then all of a sudden boom the molasses tank exploded they ran to the to of corp hil so the molasses wouldn't trap them. Then angel started running down the hill to save her mother but charlie grabbed her by the arm and told her to wait there and him and gentlemen josh wile go save her mother so they grabbed a ladder and crawled across the molasses. They went to the tent ment and the found mrs.dipietro covered in heavy wood so charlie left to go find help and joshua stayed with mrs.dipietro and she told her to pray for her and he didn't know any prayers so he sang like when he was in school put when he was done mrs.DiPietro died charlie came back and got him out of the half collapsed tentment. When they got there and he went home and couldn't sleep so he his mom came in and lullabies him to sleep. The next morning he saw charlie and he said that ange and maria were okay then he told joshua that they heard his song and he sounded like an angel so he sang the daily news
by Roxanna becerra
This book is about this kid name joshua and he is only 13 and needs to work because there family has only one income which is his mother. Cause his dad died from influenza in 1919
So charlie charlton gave him a job as a new boy. Later during that time angels mom also got sick of the influenza and he took angela's corner for her so she could take care of her mother. That day joshua was thinking of leaving charlie with his papes and be his own owner. At 4:00 am joshua woke up and got the leftovers from last night and cooked it. While walking to angels corner he was thinking of buying his own papes but charlie bought 100 papes for him already so he went to angels tentment and gave her the chicken and the other left overs. When he arrived he gave the food to her and they could smell the molasses tank strongly that day. When they went to the park they saw charliy and then all of a sudden boom the molasses tank exploded they ran to the to of corp hil so the molasses wouldn't trap them. Then angel started running down the hill to save her mother but charlie grabbed her by the arm and told her to wait there and him and gentlemen josh wile go save her mother so they grabbed a ladder and crawled across the molasses. They went to the tent ment and the found mrs.dipietro covered in heavy wood so charlie left to go find help and joshua stayed with mrs.dipietro and she told her to pray for her and he didn't know any prayers so he sang like when he was in school put when he was done mrs.DiPietro died charlie came back and got him out of the half collapsed tentment. When they got there and he went home and couldn't sleep so he his mom came in and lullabies him to sleep. The next morning he saw charlie and he said that ange and maria were okay then he told joshua that they heard his song and he sounded like an angel so he sang the daily news
by Roxanna becerra
September 20, 2013
What a difference a year makes! In 1918, Joshua Harper is attending an upscale academy in Boston, singing solos in boy’s choir, and enjoying life as a young “Boston Brahmin”. By 1919, everything changes. An influenza epidemic sweeps through the country, taking thousands of people with it including Josh’s father. As a result of his voice beginning to change, Josh is dismissed from the boy’s choir. Now, he needs to quit school in order to get a job to support himself and his mother.
It is quite by accident that Josh stumbles into his new job as a newspaper boy for the Boston Traveler. He is quickly put to work by a tough-talking, street-wise kid by the name of Charlestown Charlie. Although the job of “newsie” is considered beneath him on the social scale, Josh takes to his job immediately. With the help of his new friend, and Traveler editor, Marc Muggeridge, Josh’s job prospects increase, much to the displeasure of the jealous Charlie. When things finally come to a head between the two competitors, something happens to bring them together in a way that is unbelievable and tragic.
As a result of poor maintenance, and a sudden swing in temperature, a 55 foot high steel tank explodes, sending almost 2 ½ million gallons of molasses crashing through the streets of upper Boston, sweeping away buildings, destroying everything in its path, and swallowing up people and animals who could not outrun the huge waves. In the midst of this bizarre disaster, Josh and Charlie work together in an effort to try to save lives.
The “Great Molasses Disaster”, on which this novel is based, seems too strange to be true, but it actually happened! Although the characters in Joshua’s Song are fictional, the story of the disaster (which killed 21 people and injured 150) is a true-to-life account. Today’s Bostonians also say that if you walk the streets of North End Boston on a hot summer day, you can still smell the molasses that remain underneath the streets. Whether this is true or not, you would have to go to Boston to find out.
It is quite by accident that Josh stumbles into his new job as a newspaper boy for the Boston Traveler. He is quickly put to work by a tough-talking, street-wise kid by the name of Charlestown Charlie. Although the job of “newsie” is considered beneath him on the social scale, Josh takes to his job immediately. With the help of his new friend, and Traveler editor, Marc Muggeridge, Josh’s job prospects increase, much to the displeasure of the jealous Charlie. When things finally come to a head between the two competitors, something happens to bring them together in a way that is unbelievable and tragic.
As a result of poor maintenance, and a sudden swing in temperature, a 55 foot high steel tank explodes, sending almost 2 ½ million gallons of molasses crashing through the streets of upper Boston, sweeping away buildings, destroying everything in its path, and swallowing up people and animals who could not outrun the huge waves. In the midst of this bizarre disaster, Josh and Charlie work together in an effort to try to save lives.
The “Great Molasses Disaster”, on which this novel is based, seems too strange to be true, but it actually happened! Although the characters in Joshua’s Song are fictional, the story of the disaster (which killed 21 people and injured 150) is a true-to-life account. Today’s Bostonians also say that if you walk the streets of North End Boston on a hot summer day, you can still smell the molasses that remain underneath the streets. Whether this is true or not, you would have to go to Boston to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2011
There are so many changes in thirteen-year old Joshua Harper's life now that his father has died from the Spanish Influenza which hit Boston in 1919. Josh has to leave his private school where he is a member of the Boston Boys' Choir; Josh's mother has taken in boarders so they won't loose their home and now Josh has to quit school to help earn money. On Josh's first day looking for a job, he meets an Irish newsie, Charlestown Charlie, who teaches Josh the ropes of selling papers. Josh's training as a singer helps him project his voice and his upperclass background help him relate the news to others of his class.
A new boarder comes to live in the Harper home and he happens to be in the newspaper business like Joshua. The new boarder hires Joshua to scout the city for news but this pits Joshua against the Irish newsie, Charlestown Charlie. While Joshua scouts the city for news he meets Boston's Mayor, John Fitzerald and while he's in the Italian tenement neighborhood with Charlestown Charlie, checking on a sick girl newsie who works for Charlie, the two boys are caught in the midst of a molasses explosion. The explosion kills many people and threatens the girl newsie's mother. Joshua tries to save the Italian lady's life, and unknowlingly helps her with his God given vocal talent and then gives hope to the lady's daughter who also has a talent the newspaper uses.
A new boarder comes to live in the Harper home and he happens to be in the newspaper business like Joshua. The new boarder hires Joshua to scout the city for news but this pits Joshua against the Irish newsie, Charlestown Charlie. While Joshua scouts the city for news he meets Boston's Mayor, John Fitzerald and while he's in the Italian tenement neighborhood with Charlestown Charlie, checking on a sick girl newsie who works for Charlie, the two boys are caught in the midst of a molasses explosion. The explosion kills many people and threatens the girl newsie's mother. Joshua tries to save the Italian lady's life, and unknowlingly helps her with his God given vocal talent and then gives hope to the lady's daughter who also has a talent the newspaper uses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2009
Loved it! What I learned is that there was a time in this country's history where kids worked all day and earned fifty cents. That seems nearly unbelievable to me. I also learned about The Great Molasses Flood, which I never knew about before.
September 24, 2007
This novel about the great molasses flood in 1919 in Boston also deals with the lives of the newsies, boys who sold the newspapers.
July 9, 2016
An exciting tale of overcoming adversity.
July 20, 2020
A very uplifting and inspiring read. Great book for young readers and adults too. I don't ever tend to read historical fiction novels but I had this book laying around on my bookshelf and decided to give it a read. I'm glad I did.
It's a very short book about a thirteen-year-old boy who recently lost his father due to the influenza pandemic and because of this, he was left with no choice but to get a job to help his mother. He found himself working as a newspaper boy in Boston for an older kid named Charlie. Charlie was a smart mouth, a bully, and the pair didn't always see eye to eye.
One day, Joshua went to drop off some food for his new friend and co-worker, Angel, whose mother was quite sick from the influenza. This was when a huge tragedy happened, and Joshua was forced to accept that his vocal cords had changed and although he was kicked out of the boy's choir, that doesn't make him any less of a magnificent singer. He was then left without a choice but to sing a song to comfort a dying woman.
I like how the author presented the plot and made it easy to understand and grasp the characteristics of each character. I think that the chapters were put together nicely and that the way Harlow incorporated the historical events was seamless. Specifically, the last few chapters of the book carry an influential message that I think the young reader should get.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it. It was well written and the fiction and history both fit together seamlessly.
I highly recommend this book to young readers, starting in the adolescent age range and to adults as well.
It's a very short book about a thirteen-year-old boy who recently lost his father due to the influenza pandemic and because of this, he was left with no choice but to get a job to help his mother. He found himself working as a newspaper boy in Boston for an older kid named Charlie. Charlie was a smart mouth, a bully, and the pair didn't always see eye to eye.
One day, Joshua went to drop off some food for his new friend and co-worker, Angel, whose mother was quite sick from the influenza. This was when a huge tragedy happened, and Joshua was forced to accept that his vocal cords had changed and although he was kicked out of the boy's choir, that doesn't make him any less of a magnificent singer. He was then left without a choice but to sing a song to comfort a dying woman.
I like how the author presented the plot and made it easy to understand and grasp the characteristics of each character. I think that the chapters were put together nicely and that the way Harlow incorporated the historical events was seamless. Specifically, the last few chapters of the book carry an influential message that I think the young reader should get.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it. It was well written and the fiction and history both fit together seamlessly.
I highly recommend this book to young readers, starting in the adolescent age range and to adults as well.
January 22, 2021
Song of silence
I really enjoyed this page from history. As always,when I read historical fiction, I wondered what was true and what was the imagination of the author. Molasses killing people like lava running through the streets.? Really? And as always, I also wanted to know what happened to the characters after the book ends!
I really enjoyed this page from history. As always,when I read historical fiction, I wondered what was true and what was the imagination of the author. Molasses killing people like lava running through the streets.? Really? And as always, I also wanted to know what happened to the characters after the book ends!
May 2, 2021
My freshman English teacher made us read this book because she thought the class wasn't smart enough for age-appropriate literature. This of course colors my opinion of the book, and it's been many years since I've read it now. I remember wishing Joshua would have drowned in the molasses flood, and I think that speaks enough about how much I liked the book.
May 13, 2021
Touching story of wealth and poverty and loss and family and tender-heartedness, fortitude and resilience. The historical note at the back alluded to the fact of our lost history in today's government schools. How important it is for authors to continue to write these stories to teach our children what the schools ignore.
February 14, 2020
I tried to read this a while ago in 2019, but I just couldn’t get into the book. I’m glad I gave it another try, it seems to take a few chapters before the book starts to get good. It’s a good fictional story with some historical events/people (historical fiction).
October 25, 2021
This is a wonderful blend of fiction and history. His story is funny and sad. Life was tough in 1919 Boston but this young man made the best of a difficult time. A great read for all but especially for middle school age.
April 30, 2022
Though some of the dialog is a little stilted, this is a delightful story about a boy who stays true to himself through a number of hardships and finds himself a hero in the midst of the devastation caused by the great molasses flood in Boston in 1919.
February 19, 2023
I read this aloud to our boy family when they were younger. We ALL loved it, even their Dad, and ever since then we share any additional trivia we happen to hear or read about the molasses flood. Excellent book.
March 20, 2023
This book about 13 year old Joshua takes place in Boston during the Spanish influenza pandemic in 1919. Historical events and notable people from that time are included in this historical fiction. Great story!
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November 16, 2020Pretty good
March 1, 2021
Great for fourth-fifth grade. We read this during our child labor unit.
March 2, 2021
This book was so, so beautiful. I love all of Harlow's works, but Joshua's Song touches the deepest parts of the heart in a simple, bittersweet, and refreshing way.
September 18, 2021
Quick read about a boy struggling after the loss of his father due to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. Also touched on the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 Boston.
June 4, 2022
Great story about an often overlooked event in Boston. Read it because I was subbing a class that was reading it. So glad I came across it
July 6, 2022
I did not expect this to be aboit about great molasses flood
December 17, 2022
This was a great read for middle graders. It tells of the Great Molasses Flood in Boston, but also a lot about life in Boston at that time.
December 21, 2021
This was one of the BEST books I have ever read! It is sweat and inspiring. The strength of Joshua is amazing and wonderful.
March 16, 2017
Fantastic! Had trouble putting it down.
January 21, 2016
This book is a great flash back to the year of 1919, where a boy, Joshua, loses his father to the great influenza that struck the city. He used to be in a wealthy family, going to school, with a happy life. Now that his father has passed and him and his mother are stuck with hardly any money, Joshua has decided to set out on a job to earn more money to the household.
He finds a job as a newspaper boy, or "newsie", and doesn't want his mother to find out. He finds himself working and competing against a boy named Charlie.
Out of the blue, disaster strikes and the "Great Molasses Flood" hits Boston. In all of the disaster that is happening, Joshua has to find a way to get through it, finding his voice and give a miracle to the city.
This was a great historical fiction book and I would recommend it if you need a short, non fiction book.
He finds a job as a newspaper boy, or "newsie", and doesn't want his mother to find out. He finds himself working and competing against a boy named Charlie.
Out of the blue, disaster strikes and the "Great Molasses Flood" hits Boston. In all of the disaster that is happening, Joshua has to find a way to get through it, finding his voice and give a miracle to the city.
This was a great historical fiction book and I would recommend it if you need a short, non fiction book.
August 25, 2012
This book seemed like it was only written to showcase the events of the Molasses Flood of 1919, as well as what Boston was like back then. The plot was contrived, and in our book club this morning the students mostly rated it a 4 out of 10. Some interesting questions that came up were:
Why wouldn't the mother just go to work?
Why did Joshua just "happen" to run into John Fitzgerald?
Books like this drive me crazy. Either tell the story of a character set against an historical period or write a nonfiction piece about the time! It's insulting to the intelligence of your readers.
This was a required summer reading book for rising sixth graders. Try as we may, we could not figure out why this book was picked! It seems so random.
Why wouldn't the mother just go to work?
Why did Joshua just "happen" to run into John Fitzgerald?
Books like this drive me crazy. Either tell the story of a character set against an historical period or write a nonfiction piece about the time! It's insulting to the intelligence of your readers.
This was a required summer reading book for rising sixth graders. Try as we may, we could not figure out why this book was picked! It seems so random.
May 19, 2012
I started this book during my flight from Boston to London and finished on the tube ride to our flat. It was an interesting idea - I've always wanted to know more about the Molasses spill in Boston so when I found this book I jumped on it. It was definitely intended for a younger audience, but I appreciated the topics that were covered and the way that loss was dealt with. Additionally, I enjoyed the way Joshua learned to build relationships and to reach outside himself even when things were tough and his personal world seemed to be falling apart.
August 13, 2014
Mrs. Harlow has good stories, but still Joshua's Song needed more. Again, the fact that it was historical did help a bit, but through the whole story I found myself wanting the book to go deeper then it was! Mrs. Harlow doesn't really seem to put "real" life into her stories. Some things are a bit unrealistic and just a little too easy for Josh. I am a strong believer in "if a book is not worthy to read in childhood, then it not worthy to read in adulthood", or something like that. :)
May 23, 2011
Boston 1919 - WWI has ended and the great flu pandemic is still taking it's toll. Joshua's wonderful life and private education are left behind as he becomes a newsie on the street. He learns about life on the other side of town and gets caught in the horrible events that occur when a molasses tank explodes. This historically accurate fiction takes us through the events that took the lives of many people. The Boston Molasses explosion is not one you will learn about in many history classrooms.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews