Robin “Birdy” Perry feels compelled to join the army after the September 11th attacks on the U.S. but he soon discovers that fighting the Iraqis is like nothing he’s ever experienced before. In his letters to his Uncle Ritchie, Birdy reveals his true conflicted feelings about the hazards and horrors of war and he begins to question America’s involvement in a place where it’s hard to know who the enemy is and why they’re fighting.
I haven’t read Fallen Angels, but apparently this novel is a companion to it (Birdy’s Uncle Ritchie was the protagonist in Fallen Angels). I don’t know how most kids will react to Walter Dean Myers’ latest. I found the experiences of the soldiers to be illuminating, and I think that all students who are considering the armed forces ought to read this to get a soldier’s perspective on war, but I wasn’t as drawn in by the characters as I was with Monster or Shooter. If you read it, please let me know how you liked it.
Recommended for grades 8-12.
I haven’t read Fallen Angels, but apparently this novel is a companion to it (Birdy’s Uncle Ritchie was the protagonist in Fallen Angels). I don’t know how most kids will react to Walter Dean Myers’ latest. I found the experiences of the soldiers to be illuminating, and I think that all students who are considering the armed forces ought to read this to get a soldier’s perspective on war, but I wasn’t as drawn in by the characters as I was with Monster or Shooter. If you read it, please let me know how you liked it.
Recommended for grades 8-12.
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