Slade, Arthur. Megiddo's shadow.

SLADE, Arthur. Megiddo's shadow. Random House, Wendy Lamb. 304p. c2006. 0-385-7470-2. $15.95. JS

WW I and horses, an old-fashioned war story with a young hero who evolves from a enthusiastic warrior to a more reflective person who hates war--this novel will appeal to readers of adventure. It begins on the plains of Canada when Edward learns of the death of his older brother, who was fighting in France. Edward's rage and desire for revenge against the Germans drive him to abandon his father who is sick with depression over the loss of his son, leave the farm, and lie about his age to join up to fight in Europe. When he arrives in England, because of his farm experience, he is put to work training horses for the cavalry. This keeps him safe for a while, though he hates that, but eventually he goes with the cavalry to Palestine. The action there, the horror of the killing of men and horses, changes everything.

In England, Edward meets a young nurse, Emily, who eventually is sent to work in France. They exchange letters, their love for one another growing, until war destroys everything between them. At the end of the book, Edward returns home, now understanding why his father, who fought in the Boer War, never wanted his sons to fight. So we have here a war story that becomes an anti-war story, as most do. The details about training horses and being close to horses give the novel special appeal. (The story is based on the experiences of the author's grandfather, who fought in Palestine and Egypt in WW I.) Claire Rosser, KLIATT

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.