Books about War
Why do we keep writing about war and the after-effects of
war? Two of the books I have read recently have touched me deeply, not only
because of the writing and the story being told, but also because these books
tell the story of children who are left behind because of war, and we are
continuing this legacy, 100 years later.
Stay Where You are and Then Leave by John Boyne (author The
Boy in the Striped Pajamas) tells the story of Alfie Summerfield, his dad and
Alfie’s quest to bring his father home from World War I, both literally and
figuratively. Touching on shell-shock, conscientious objectors, families in
crisis, and the treatment of foreigners in England during the war, Boyne’s
story could be seen as contrived as it is based on a series of coincidences.
Yet, the story-telling is convincing and even compelling, and very relatable
for young children who must endure the absence of their father or mother during
deployment over the last ten years that our country has been at war. Written on
a middle school level, this will hold the attention of many who are older and
lead to deep discussions of war and peace, activism and the consequences of
war.
A Medal for Leroy
by Michael Morpurgo (author of War Horse) tells the story of a young boy who
lost his father in World War II. Michael’s father, Leroy, also lost his father
in the First World War. Michael’s grandfather, also named Leroy, lost his life
while saving others. He was one of the few Black servicemen from England during
that war and Black men were not awarded medals; in spite of his bravery, he was
overlooked. Morpurgo has based his story on a real-life Black man who was not
awarded a posthumous medal because of his skin color. In addition to addressing
the theme of historical discrimination, the story also relates a family secret
that Michael discovers when he is about 13. As with Stay Where you are and Then Leave, the reader realizes real consequences of war,
and as portrayed here, these consequences fall most heavily on families with
the fewest resources. While the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are not as
devastating as the two World Wars, there are still many children in our country
who will never know their fathers (or mothers) because of these wars. And there
are more children who will know a parent who is physically whole, but
emotionally damaged because of the ravages of war. While A Medal for Leroy is primarily about discrimination and family
secrets, and the consequences of war are a secondary consideration, there are
still many deep questions that children, with their families or teachers, can
explore.
Creepy Books
The Body in the Woods
by April Henry
A team of youth volunteers work with Portland County’s
Search and Rescue Team to find a young mentally challenged man who has wandered
from his home. Nick never knew his father, who was killed in the first Iraq
conflict (see Books about War) is always worried that he is not good enough,
that he will not measure up. Ruby’s parents are both doctors; her family is
very affluent, but all the money they have cannot make friends for their
socially awkward daughter. Alexis lives with her single mom, who is mentally
unstable. Alexis worries constantly that someone will find out her mom is not capable
of taking care of her and she will be removed from her home. These three
misfits join the Search and Rescue Team. This is their first search, all three
hoping to be the ones who find the young man who is lost. Instead they find the
body of a teen-aged girl. Ruby is
fascinated with the procedure and uses her super brain power to solve the
crime, but no one except the other two misfits will believe her. Together the
three put themselves in danger, but ultimately apprehend the killer. Billed as
a “Point Last Seen Mystery” this seems to be set up as the first in a series.
Henry writes a well-plotted narrative and the three protagonists are each
likable in a somewhat curious way. For those older middle schoolers who enjoy a
mystery, this might be just the ticket.
Unremembered by
Jessica Brody
The first in a trilogy, this tells the story of Seraphina, a
survivor of a plane crash who is suffering from amnesia. She is not sure who to
trust, her foster parents, the boy who approaches her to tell her he knows her
from before the crash, the strange man who protects her from afar when she
leaves her temporary home? It turns out that in addition to her inexplicable
survival of a plane crash that kills everyone else, Seraphina also has several
super powers and she is being pursued by scientists from the future. This fast
paced science fiction will leave the reader hoping for the next installment and
rooting for Seraphina all the way.
The Riverman by
Aaron Starmer
The weirdest of them all. Alistair is a normal kid with one
older sister, understanding parents and a mundane life in a small town in
upstate New York. Then, his former friend and neighbor Fiona chooses Alistair
as her confidant as she relates a bizarre story of finding a conduit to another
world where she has met The Riverman, a monster that kidnaps and kills children
from all over the “solid” world. Alistair is the keeper of this story for
Fiona, not believing her, but fascinated anyway. When Fiona identifies the
Riverman as someone living in their small town, Alistair is resistant at first,
but finally realizes that Fiona’s tale is not a fantasy, but a cruel reality.
Not sure if Starmer makes this believable enough for me, but it is certainly a
well-told tale with a fantastical twist!
The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George
George is famous for her adult detective procedurals about
Inspector Lynley that have been made into a BBC Mystery series. In her foray
into young adult land, George sets her novel on an island off the coast of
Washington State. Becca King can hear what people are thinking. This bizarre
ability came to her from her mother’s family and her grandmother and mother are
always giving her advice on how to channel this ability for good. When Becca
hears her stepfather’s thoughts on how he killed a man, she and her mother know
they must get out of town quickly. Becca’s mother will run to Canada, but
leaves Becca on a ferry to go to Whidby Island with instructions to go to the
mother’s best friend who lives there. Unfortunately, the friend dies before
Becca can reach her and Becca is not on her own, with very little money, no
friends and the need to keep hidden so her stepfather will not be able to find
her. The suspense part is well done, in typical George style, but the
supernatural is not totally believable, nor is it necessary as a plot device.
The story ends on cliffhanger, waiting for the next installment. Not sure that
I would read the next one, but I do have some desire to find out what happens
to Becca and her friends.
