Armstrong, Jennifer, ed. Shattered; stories of children and war.ARMSTRONG, Jennifer, ed. Shattered; stories of children and war. Random House, Dell Laurel-Leaf. 166p. c2002. 0-44023765-3. $5.99. JS* Twelve short pieces by notable authors expose the far-reaching consequences of war as experienced by children. Settings range from the battlefields of the American Civil War American Civil War or Civil War or War Between the States (1861–65) Conflict between the U.S. federal government and 11 Southern states that fought to secede from the Union. to Afghanistan during the 1980s. The main characters of each story are touched by combat in different ways; some have siblings or friends fighting overseas, while others are struggling to survive in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of battle. Many diverse viewpoints are represented here. The two children in David Lubar's "War is Swell" have a better life during conflict than in peacetime, and hope that the fighting never stops. One particularly powerful story by Lois Metzger, "Snap, Crackle crackle /crack·le/ (krak´'l) rale. , Pop," recreates the Communist scare of the 1950s, and is based on the case of a real librarian accused of Communist affiliations. M.E. Kerr adapted her novel Slap Your Sides into a piece about a young Quaker Young Quaker (YQ) is a monthly magazine produced by Young Friends General Meeting, providing a forum for religious, social, environmental and other issues. It lists national and international events as well as changes of address and other notices. conscientious objector conscientious objector, person who, on the grounds of conscience, resists the authority of the state to compel military service. Such resistance, emerging in time of war, may be based on membership in a pacifistic religious sect, such as the Society of Friends who leaves his family to serve in the Civilian Public Service Civilian Public Service (CPS) was a form of national service providing conscientious objectors in the United States an alternative to military service during World War II. From 1941 to 1947, nearly 12,000 draftees, willing to serve their country in some capacity but unwilling to do . Related facts about each conflict run at the bottom of every page to give the reader more background information, and the Authors' Notes at the book's conclusion give insight into the origin of each particular story. Every reader who takes the time to pick up this book will find it a thought provoking and disturbing look at the tragedy of war. This title is strongly recommended for every academic and public library collection. Olivia Durant, Adult/Teen Svcs. Lib., Webster PL., Webster, NY |
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