The Enemy

The Enemy
Juvenile historical fiction
"'I'm sure we all agree that we have to be ever vigilant in our
efforts to destroy the communist enemy that is creeping within and
threatens to destroy our country. These writers are bad seeds, Mrs.
Campbell. Godless, bad seeds that we don't want planting evil ideas
in the minds of our children. There are people who are working
actively to destroy our way of life and enslave us to the Soviets.
These authors have no place on our public libraries.' Mrs. Pearson
isn't leaving any room for argument in the conversation and reaches
over to grab the dangerous book.
But Mom is faster."
The year is 1954. McCarthy hysteria is in full swing.
Marjorie, protagonist of Sara Holbrook's The Enemy, has just been
caught in her town's public library reading 1984, one of the books
pulled from the shelves and destined for destruction. The irate head
librarian has called her mother in.
Only, unlike chum Bernadette's mom, who has angrily picked up
her daughter, vowed that no Communist propoganda will enter her house,
and thanked the librarian for her vigilence, Marjorie's mom questions
the librarian and borrows both the books the girls were looking at.
It's only a matter of time before Good Old Mom smuggles in a whole box
of the destined to be destroyed books and hides them under Marjorie's
bed. Mom warns Marjorie to not say a word. If the secret was found
out the police could come and arrest her.
In the world of friendships Marjorie is facing serious
challenges. She actually likes the new girl in her class who is
allegedly from Canada but dresses old world and knows very little
English. Long time best friend Bernadette and their chums would
consider befriending Inga to be an act of extreme disloyalty. In
school Marjorie feels like she's skating on very thin ice.
I'd advise kids and people who haven't been children for quite
awhile to read The Enemy, a poignant novel set in a time when anything
but unquestioning nationalism was seen as treason--a time very much
like our own.
Remember that dissent is patriotic. In my mind it's what can
save this nation.
On a personal note, Jodi had chosen to work with me on the UMaine GROW
(guided reflections on work) program this semester. I'd set goals to
work toward on my job. Our final meeting was Friday. We agreed that
I'd met my goals and gained a great deal from the chance to pursue
goals and reflect under the guidance of a mentor. I think that
opportunities like that can be very valuable for student workers. On
campus jobs can be so much more than ways of earning tuition.
A great big shout goes out to Jodi.
jules hathaway



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