Jacqueline Levering Sullivan

Having not read the first book in the series "Annie's War", I was a little concerned that I would be a little lost upon meeting the characters and understanding their relationships, but Sullivan's easy descriptions allowed me to slip right into the story without any loss on development. The writing style is excellent - first person past tense, like Annie is talking from memory as an adult. Using this point of view makes the book seem much less childlike, as do the wonderful descriptive words show more Sullivan uses to elaborate on Annie's surroundings. The story is also excellent - historical but relatable to a modern-day reader, and it twists and turns in the same way a teenager's mind wanders. My only real critique is the way the story jumps so quickly from one subject to another, without even a page break. I understand this is a YA novel and I shouldn't expect Dickens-esque detail, but some of the scene jumps I feel could use just one more line of dialogue/description so we aren't going from (for example) Annie inviting Elisabeth over for the afternoon, to them being best friends in the following sentence. Some in-between detail would have been nice. show less

A good historical novel for middle schoolers, set in 1950. Fourteen year old Annie lives in Tacoma with her parents, and they are all learning to adjust to having her father home from World War II. As a blind veteran, he mopes about the house, resentful that he can't be as independent as he used to be (although he has started a carpentry business with his brother, a fellow vet), and refusing an offer to get a guide dog. Annie befriends new students Johannes and Elisabeth, Dutch refugee show more siblings who have their own sorrows and war experiences that affect their outlook and give Annie new perspective on the war. She's also beginning to have a little crush on Johannes perhaps. Annie wants nothing more than to have everything at home be "perfect" and the way it was before the war, of course, which can't happen. Her parents' relationship also seems to be in jeopardy, with a subplot about a misunderstood possible affair taking up a lot of Annie's mental anguish. But through perseverance and patience, she's learning to be okay with the way things are now, as her father eventually realizes he can accept help from veterans organizations and still be proud and independent. I thought the main character was portrayed as a little young for 14, but then again it's more of an innocent age so perhaps it was just right. Nice slice-of-life novel, an old-fashioned family drama. show less

A book for young readers usually doesn't appeal to me, but author Jacqueline L. Sullivan pulled me in with a plot guaranteed to keep your interest.

In this sequel to "Annie's War" the family settles in Tacoma, but Annie's father is now blind from war injuries. Annie makes it her challenge to cheer him up and incorporate him back into life as he attempts to retreat.Meeting two Dutch teenage refugees who have lost their family to the war, Annie begins to understand the horrific consequences of show more war and true nature of sacrifice.

Reading this book was compelling as I lived for ten years in Holland, and knew many survivors of World War Two. PTSD is not discussed in the plot, but it is a reality, as this novel portrays the after-affects of war.

I recommend this book not only to young people but also to anyone interested in the sacrifices of war and the damage to many. show less

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.

Jacqueline Levering Sullivan's _A Less than Perfect Peace_ provides a compelling account of the hidden costs of war--specifically in the life of young Annie Howard. The coming of age novel illustrates Annie's attempt to understand the changes brought into her life by World War II. A sequel to _Annie's War_ (which I have not read), the novel finds Annie facing a new life in Tacoma, Washington with show more a blind father, a working mother, her war-scarred uncle, and the friendship of handsome Johannes--a new classmate from Holland. Johannes and his twin sister face lingering problems outside of Annie's comprehension (Johannes, specifically, having grown up of necessity too quickly) due to the recent war. During the course of the novel, Annie learns that not all is as it seems on the surface.

_A Less than Perfect Peace_ has an easy writing style that would keep middle-grade children interested and entertained. The author's background as a writing professor shines in her adaptive dialog and descriptive style. Sullivan teaches an important life lesson in judging and facing hardships without becoming heavy-handed. An enjoyable read for teachers, parents, and children alike. show less