This compelling book is a series of interviews with kids whose parents are in the military. Kids aged 5-17 talk honestly about how their parents' job has shaped their family life, and how they feel about their missing parent.
The stories give great insight into the lives of military kids, and show how some families cope with the absence of a parent...and some don't. Every kid has tips and tricks that they use to fight loneliness when their parent is away, and advice on how to welcome back a parent who is returning from war. It's clear that most kids have a deep respect for their parent's job and dedication, even while they are uniformly uncertain about the military's goals in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The common theme is that all kids, both Canadian and American, miss their parent, and worry about their safety. There is always strain on the family when their parent is away, and many kids (but not all) vehemently state that they will find a civillian career when they grow up.
This is an interesting and unusual look at the effect of war on those left behind. It's an excellent tool for families or classes that want to consider the impact of war, and talk about the value of fighting for a cause. Author Deborah Ellis has written many books focusing on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and her focus is always on the experience of the kids who get caught in the middle.
Nonfiction
Grades 5-9
Click here to check out the Port Moody Public Library's catalogue.
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