Off to War

October 1, 2008
Gr 4-8-War is hell, and not just for the soldiers who go off to fight it. In interviews with approximately 40 children, all of whom have at least one parent who is serving, or has served, in Iraq or Afghanistan, Ellis shows just how hard it is on the family members left behind. Ranging in age from 6 to 17, young people from Canada and the United States talk about the things that are on their minds. Worry about their parents' safety, pride in their service to their country, and confusion about why such service is necessary are all intermingled with the everyday concerns of friends, school, and "just getting on with life." Common themes run throughout; many of those interviewed mention how important it is to maintain a normal life and to find people they trust to talk to, and how hard it is when they are not around other families who are experiencing the same issues. Accessible and utterly readable, this book offers a glimpse into current home-front life, and is a primary source of what it means to have a family member serving in a war. While students may find some of the reading repetitive, the book is an excellent resource for opening discussions about the current events."Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2008
Grades 6-12 In any war it is always the children who are the biggest losers. Ellis has written many books, including the Breadwinner Trilogy, about young people caught up in war. Now she interviews children of Canadian and American soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. For each child, Ellis starts with a brief general introduction and includes a small photo; then the child speaks about pride, anger, and sadness in the military family. Some young people are proud (the army is in Iraq to give us freedom); they hate the antiwar demonstrators. But some kids (and some soldier parents, too) support the peace movement. The partings are heartbreaking, and the return home can be filled with problems, as in the case of a traumatized dad who abuses his wife and kids, and his family wonders if he shot at children on his tours of duty. Ellis tells everything without sensationalism, including the sadness when the soldier parent does not come home alive. The personal voices are unforgettable.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2009
Ellis interviews American and Canadian children whose parents have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Chapters begin with an introduction; the rest is told in the children's words. Especially interesting is their honesty about what happens when the parent comes home. Readers will empathize with these young people whose lives have been upended by circumstances beyond their control. Websites. Ind.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2008
Ellis's newest offering goes far to explore what happens to the other children of war -- children of soldiers. Ellis interviews American and Canadian children whose parents have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan over the past few years. The children represent a cross section of a diverse group, from kids who have grown up on bases to those who live in the civilian world. Some ardently support the war and their government; others are opposed or questioning. Each chapter begins with an introduction from the author, and the rest is told in the direct words of the children. There's a certain sameness to the narratives; it's hard for children to put their feelings into words, and that poignant awkwardness is present. In the end, it's the repetition of the same story of loss, loneliness, and confusion that is most affecting. Especially interesting is how honest the children are about what happens when the parent comes home on leave or at the end of a tour of duty or does not come home at all. Readers will empathize with these children whose lives have been upended by circumstances beyond their control.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)