Another though provoking book and a big springboard into honoring our fallen soldiers and our survivors. The illustrations were beautiful, the symbolism along with the song really upheld tremendous respect for the military personnel. I would use this book to discuss the meaning of the Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day, honor, respect, code of conduct, traditions, US History, war, etc.... Also contains extras related to military and war consequences, POW MIA, etc.... A surface content read aloud for 2-4 grades and a deep study springboard for 4/5-8 grades. Author also wrote Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot. ( )

Thanks to America’s White Table, I now know about the ceremonial table set to honor those members of the military who are MIA or have been prisoners of war. I didn’t previously know about this tradition, full of symbolism, which a character describes in part:

“We use a small table, girls,” she explained first, “to show one soldier’s lonely battle against many. We cover it with a white cloth to honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty.

We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return,” she continued.

We push an empty chair to the table for the missing soldiers who are not here.”

Margot Theis Raven’s prose tell the story of a fictional 10-year-old girl, Katie, whose uncle is coming for dinner on Veteran’s Day. Katie’s mother explains the importance of the ceremonial table, and its special significance to Uncle John. He served in Vietnam and lost his friend Mike there after the two were taken as prisoners of war. Uncle John and his friend eventually gained their freedom; but Mike’s injuries were too severe and he didn’t survive. Katie puts the story in book format as a promise to Uncle Mike and others that she will never forget the gift of freedom that veterans have given her.

The inner story of John and Mike as POWs in Vietnam is brief and poignant. Imprisonment, injuries and death play a brief, but vital role in the flashback. It is not graphic, nor does it dwell on this aspect of wars; it is necessary, though, to introduce the concept of sacrifices made in the name of freedom. I felt it appropriate for the ages of my children who read the book with me (5, 7, and 11), and was able to address whatever questions they had in my usual manner (that is, with as little age-appropriate information as needed to satisfy their curiosity about a sensitive subject … similar to the way I’ve handled the birds and the bees!).

Mike Benny’s illustrations are expressive, colorful (but not overly bright, as befits the subject), and clear. The vignette flashing back to Vietnam is done in sepia tones, visually distancing it from the contemporary story. The lyrics of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” run in short phrases through the book, across the bottom of the pages.

I’m happy to add America’s White Table to our family’s library.

Full review at http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/20...
She is Too Fond of Books ( )

This is a very touching book that you could read to any age group. It teaches about the importance to recognize our veterans and to rememeber the onew who never came home and might still be alive today. It would be a good book to read around November 11 (Veteran's Day). ( )

this book is an amazing story about a child learnin to appreciate the value of family and the sacrifices of her uncle, I would use this book to read any time, and at a moment when my students are complainin ( )

A rememberance to soldiers that are dead or missing in action. ( )