shootingthemoon

Shooting the Moon by Frances O’Roark Dowell ISBN: 978-1-4169-2690-0 c2008 163 pages

Good sections to read aloud: p. 1 - first paragraph (TJ going off to war) p. 9 - last sentence (Jamie knowing everything) p. 11 - introduction about the Colonel (TJ & Jamie’s father)

Summary: Jamie is 12 years old when her brother, TJ, is shipped off to Vietnam. Although their father is a high ranking Colonel in the Army, he isn’t happy that TJ has enlisted. He wanted him to go to medical school. TJ and Jamie have always thought that their father would want them to make careers in the army. Jamie is excited about the fact that TJ is off at war. She becomes even more excited when TJ starts sending her rolls of film to develop from the war. At first she is disappointed when she doesn’t see much on the film. Later on she is horrified at some of the shots showing the true side of war. As the war rages on, she realizes that maybe she doesn’t want TJ over there after all...and maybe her father was right to not have wanted him to enlist. A very quick read for someone who enjoys stories about war with a likable main character!

YA Fiction--historical fiction; Vietnam War; military bases; soldiers; children of military personnel; separation

©Jennifer Lang - WDMS 2010