09/01/2013
Gr 8 Up—Paulsen's short, theme-driven novel (Atheneum, 1986) illustrates the terrible threat of nuclear weapons. Told in alternating chapters, this title follows four diverse young adults seeking their place in the world. Sue is a Native American who finds solace in an unexpected place. Peter, a talented musician, is looking for the perfect sound. David travels to America from Mexico to find work and earn money to help his family. Laura, a rancher's daughter from Montana, is seeking recognition from her family. Between each chapter the author includes a vignette about an American soldier during wartime (World War II, Korea, Vietnam), highlighting their youthful optimism until they discover the horrors of war and return home with broken bodies, minds, spirits, and dreams. Are they the sentries, the soldiers that fight and guard our freedoms so that the next generation can pursue their dreams? In the final chapter, we learn how all this sacrifice and promise can be destroyed with a flip of a switch that sets off a nuclear bomb. Kate Rudd and Benjamin L. Darcie effectively create a unique voice for each of the characters and vary the narration's pace when appropriate. The lack of a definitive plot may cause listeners to lose interest. The audiobook may be useful in classrooms to generate discussions about the effects of war and nuclear weapons and for public libraries that circulate the print version.—Terri Norstrom Cary Area Public Library, IL
5
1
14.99
In Stock
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940172436420 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Brilliance Audio |
| Publication date: | 04/20/2013 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 10 - 13 Years |
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