Historical fiction

War novel

Teen perspective

WWII Europe (1944)

Normandy

Military

Life of a teen soldier

Surviving while attacking enemies

Emotional Impact of War

Middle/high school readers

Fans of war fiction

Interested in history

Based on real events

D-Day

U.S. soldiers in Europe

White teen from Virginia

Rifleman in U.S. Army

Loyal and brave

African American soldier

Segregated unit, forced to lesser roles

Smart and skeptical

Deep connection

Despite racial tension

Built on survival

Naive to aware

Faces trauma

Holds onto humanity

Comrades in danger

Adds to Reality of War in Book

Basic training

Anticipation of war

Fear, since a big and possibly bloody attack is coming.

Commanders and medics

Short Appearances, back round

Military hierarchy

Normandy landing

Chaos

Lots of Death

Traveling around France

Town to town

Alert

Hunger

Tiredness

Cold

Bonds form

Morals

Letters home

Missed connections

Memories of family

How does war change people?

Can people be kind in times of violence?

Segregated military units (Marcus)

Unequal roles, but similar threat.

Boys to soldiers

Growing from hardships

In war, who are they?

Are they true to themselves?

CONSTANT Fear

Bravery is survival

Intense loyalty, even under unfairness.

Connections with soldiers under pressure

Born in West Virginia

Raised in Harlem

Wrote over 100 books!!

Served in U.S. Army

Enlisted at 17, knows a lot.

War, race, adolescence

Truthful storytelling

Reflects his early enlistment??

Honest and direct

Teen voices, realistic tone

Monster

Fallen Angels

Sunrise Over Fallujah

National Ambassador

Multiple literary awards

“Invasion wasn’t just killing…”

Complexity of War?

“You stop wondering…”

Trauma

Fast-paced (I got lost!)

Emotional depth

Clear and grounded

Realistic war scenes

Reflective inner voice (Better shows effects of war)

Would recommend for Teens

Shows a human side to war

Stays with the reader

Gives thoughts on a deep level