I absolutely loved this book and the rich characters that Dowell developed. The main character is one that kids will relate to well. The only thing that kept me from rating this higher is that the ending feels very rushed and thrown together so it isn't as satisfying as one would hope. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 5-7

Plot Summary: Jamie's older brother signs up to go to Vietnam, and Jamie, being from a family that lives and breathes the army ways and values, is thrilled. While he's gone, she plays cards at the rec center and develops the film that her brother's sends instead of letters. Most of the photos are of the moon, but there are some of injured soldiers and fighting.

Setting: Army base, Vietnam War era

Characters: Jamie
TJ - Jamie's brother, signs up to go to Vietnam
Colonel - Jamie's dad
Cindy - Jamie's friend and baby-sitee, same age as Jamie but has a lower mental capacity
Private Hollister - works at rec center, plays Gin with Jamie
Sgt. Byrd - teaches Jamie how to develop film and photos

Recurring Themes: war, army life, loyalty, death

Controversial Issues: The Vietnam war was controversial at the time, and there may still be some people who fit on either side. Jamie's dad, a Colonel and big-wig, goes against the army way and begged a friend to keep Jamie's brother from going to Vietnam and does not believe in the war.

Personal Thoughts: By telling TJ's story through a younger sibling still at home, this book tends to be a quiet war drama. I didn't love it or hate it. I read it fairly quickly, but possibly because I had time to read. ( )

Brother goes to Vietnam, and he does return. This story is about his little sister, and how she changes her opinions as she develops the film that her brother sends home and prints the pictures. Good story. ( )

Prisoners of War ( )

When her brother is sent to fight in Vietnam, twelve-year-old Jamie begins to reconsider the army world that she has grown up in. ( )