Written by Deron R. Hicks
I thought this was an interesting take on a WWII story. I love reading books with journalism and newspapers as a central theme or characteristic. One thing that sets this book apart from other WWII fiction is that it doesn’t take place in Europe, but right here in the United States!
Summary: Set during 1942 in the town of Asheville, North Carolina, we find Henry Hamilton, a 12-year-old aspiring journalist. Henry wants to write about things that matter. He wants to scoop the next big story. Sometimes (most of the time) writing for a school paper means news about the cafeteria or the spelling bee. Henry struggles to find things he wants to write about that his teacher will actually publish. Finally, he is given a golden opportunity – the job of covering the Air Raid Warden program.
Quickly Henry finds himself in the middle of a secret, and he plans to find out what is going on. He is caught between the Story and wanting to do right by his father. Will he choose what is right?
This is a great middle grade novel. It’s exciting, fast paced, and high stakes without being too much. I would gladly hand this to my 10 year old!
My only dislike was the writing style. I felt it did a LOT of telling. It was almost as if the author thought we knew almost nothing, could figure almost nothing out for ourselves, and needed to be told all the things. The scene was exciting because the words on the page said so. A character was in danger because we were told so. The sentences seemed simple a lot of the time and didn’t evoke much feeling. I think a 10-12 year old would fly through this book and not notice, but as an adult reader it knocked my enjoyment level down just a little bit.
Discussion Points & Content: There is no concerning content here for me. Henry does do some things his parents would disapprove of, but he does receive natural consequences such as going without dinner, and knowing his mom was worried sick and having to deal with those feelings. Henry did not do these things to be willfully disobedient. He was always internally debating his actions and wanting to choose the right thing.
Recommended: I would recommend this for 10-12 year olds who are interested in WWII or exciting and suspenseful novels that are lower stakes.
Blue Chair Bookshelf 