The American Spectator

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Happy Jack Feder's descriptions of this opulent display of "crafts, arts and treasures from around the world" are vividly rendered, and capture the scientific and architectural wonders of 1904 St. Louis. He is also adept at juggling characters, from Minnie's intense teammates to the colorful Louis Youpee, the team's traveling male cheerleader and lively halftime vaudevillian. And there is Minnie's love interest, Oliver Shakespeare, a Blackfeet student bright enough to attend an Ivy League university, but barred from such by race. ´

In one of the novel's happy endings, however, President Roosevelt intervenes to see that Oliver is admitted to Georgetown University. In a comic but apocryphal scene, T.R. (overdressed in the formal athletic attire of the day) scrimmages with the Fort Shaw girls and is sent sprawling following some intense action. The President finds the competition, well, Bully! -- even as Secret Service agents react with horror. Further historical shenanigans finds Feder presenting cameos by Buffalo Bill Cody and Sitting Bull, although in reality the latter had been deceased fourteen years. Though the subtle comparisons of the victor of the Little Bighorn with the Fort Shaw team are certainly apt.

Which leaves us the Big Game, one of the highlights of the World's Fair. Fort Shaw vs. the Missouri Women's All Stars, who were the unofficial national champs, and coached by the historical and seemingly villainous Joseph Stremmel.

But I wouldn't want to spoil for the reader the exciting ending. Suffice it to say that Happy Jack Feder has written a marvelous little novel for teens (or anyone else, for that matter) interested in sports, or in simply always doing the right thing.

Read it, because as writing, it's a "Swishhhh!"

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