My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Recieved to Review
Genre: Coming-of -Age / Historical Fiction
Book Description: Twelve-year-old George’s family won’t take him seriously. He’s ready to fight like a man on the front lines of the Great War, but instead he gets stuck on the home front, with nothing more exciting to do than look out for his younger sisters and elderly neighbor, Mrs. Schmitt.
But with no sign of victory in Europe, things are getting more and more tense at home, especially after George’s older brother makes a startling announcement.
Set in 1918 Kansas City, this old-fashioned family drama brings you to the heart of the World War I home front. Issue-drive and entertaining, it’s a coming-of-age story that will still resonate with readers today
My thoughts: George is twelve and living in a time that is very confusing to him. It is 1918. The US is involved in WWI, women want to vote, his brother is against fighting in a war, his best friend's family live with an abusive father, and his neighbor is targeted because her last name is of German origin. There are so many thoughts and ideas swirling around him and it's hard for him to figure out who is right and who is wrong.
This book gave me many things to think about. One prevailing thought is that I am glad I live in a time where women can vote and express their thoughts and feelings. I am also grateful that we now have laws against abuse. The priest made a comment that startled me because it is foreign to today. The idea was he was there to save souls, not bodies when a nun confronted him about the abuse. It shows how much the world has changed in the last 100 years.
George is a great character. He likes to goof off and have fun with his best friend, Jimmy. He does stupid stuff and gets in trouble. But when faced with a serious situation, he rises to the moment and does noble deeds. He becomes Mrs. Schmitt's protector when she needs one.
This is a great coming of age story. I highly recommend.
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