Back matter: military glossary with slang, interview with the author

Having read Fallen Andels--I wanted to see how the Middle East war was handled in this YA book. Also I served as an officer in the USMC however was not in any combat circumstances. It's interesting to see how the author handles women in the militay in this novel. Am only 1/4 through--so will add more as I proceed.

Narrated by JD Jackson. Early in the Iraq war, "Birdy" is part of a unit of soldiers basically charged with "winning the hearts and minds" of the Iraqi people. But bridging the cultural divide is difficult. How do you win over people whose family members have been killed in the conflict or those who are trying to kill you? This book reveals the many sides of war--boredom, fear, disappointment, frustration, grief, anger--and how they affect one's life perspective forever. I found the audio version rather slow going but I may have to give this one another chance. ( )

This book describes the experiences of Robin “Birdy” Perry in the Iraq war. The reader gets to meet the people assigned to his Civilian Affairs unit and experience what they experienced on the front lines of this war. Throughout the story, Birdy sends letters home to his uncle, a Vietnam vet. In them he details some of his experiences and expresses understanding for how his uncle did not want to talk about his experiences. They now share a bond based on these experiences in two different wars. Excellent historic fiction. ( )

Acclaimed YA author Walter Dean Myers turns his gaze to Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2011) the American-Iraqi war. He captures the daily monotony, lack of knowledge, and the confusion of war and shows the inner dialogue of a soldier (Robin aka Birdy) as he struggles to make sense of his mission there. Unlike a 'traditional' war there is no Front and the enemy is hard to identify (and ever-changing). Not as gripping as his companion piece on Vietnam, Fallen Angels, Sunrise will still appeal to readers --especially boys-- who want a taste of the current military situation. ( )