Remembrance

Rating:
Summary: A very good read!
Review: Fabulous. Excellent. Brilliant!
Before I start, may I just make a correction to the review above- it is actually World War 1 that this book is set in, not world war 2, as you said.
The story is os easy to follow, and so tear jerking- I cried about three times throughout the book!The relationships between characters the grow, and turn into love, are so beautifully described. You can predict the plot after reading the first few chapters, but I was still gripped by the story
Theresa Breslin writes beautifully, the pictures she created in my mind were vivid, and I felt as though I was there.
A strong recomendation.

Rating:
Summary: Wicked Story! This is my Fave book
Review: OK. heres the deal. I read TONS of books, but this is me ALL TIME favorite. I was so happy when Charlotte Armstron-Barnes and John Malcolm admit the like each other, and I cried for charlotte when she found out he had been killed. I worried about Johns too-young-brother that sneegles his way into the army to fight. I was glad that Maggie (John Malcolm's twin sister) helped Francis (Charlottes older brother) stay sane while he was fighting. I recommend this book for anyone (12+) who likes to read. Younger people probably wont appreiciate the romantic aspect of this book, but hey knock yourselves out, because you will fall for this book Hook-Line-and-Sinker!

Rating:
Summary: Debate over war is timeless
Review: This historical novel examines war and peace from the varied points of view of five friends and neighbors coming of age during World War II. John Malcolm gets enlists with enthusiasm, while pacifist Francis resists as long as he can and young Alex lies about his age to get into the army. Charlotte gets involved in nursing in spite of her family's disapproval, while Maggie takes advantages of new opportunities for women and for her own self education. Amidst the social and political upheavals, life goes on, love blossoms, and loved ones are lost and mourned.
Period details are sensory and realistic, and the characters and situation are both true to the time yet have a classic tone that will make this book readable a hundred years from now.
The current crisis in the Middle East makes this a timely novel. As our leaders make those opposing war with Iraq feel un-American, Breslin affirms over and over that peace is the only solution, from Francis's "disloyal talk" on page 6: "What makes a human being want to kill another who has done him no personal harm? Patriotism." to Alex's admission on page 291 that "killing can sicken the soul."
The writing is lovely even in the most inhumane scenes of battle. Breslin presents all angles smoothly while leaving the reader with the haunting notion that in spite of the memorials and parades and flowers that stress the importance of remembering our mistakes, we still seem doomed to repeat them.
Suitable for classroom use in World War II units.

Rating:
Summary: Debate over war is timeless
Review: This historical novel examines war and peace from the varied points of view of five friends and neighbors coming of age during World War II. John Malcolm gets enlists with enthusiasm, while pacifist Francis resists as long as he can and young Alex lies about his age to get into the army. Charlotte gets involved in nursing in spite of her family's disapproval, while Maggie takes advantages of new opportunities for women and for her own self education. Amidst the social and political upheavals, life goes on, love blossoms, and loved ones are lost and mourned.
Period details are sensory and realistic, and the characters and situation are both true to the time yet have a classic tone that will make this book readable a hundred years from now.
The current crisis in the Middle East makes this a timely novel. As our leaders make those opposing war with Iraq feel un-American, Breslin affirms over and over that peace is the only solution, from Francis's "disloyal talk" on page 6: "What makes a human being want to kill another who has done him no personal harm? Patriotism." to Alex's admission on page 291 that "killing can sicken the soul."
The writing is lovely even in the most inhumane scenes of battle. Breslin presents all angles smoothly while leaving the reader with the haunting notion that in spite of the memorials and parades and flowers that stress the importance of remembering our mistakes, we still seem doomed to repeat them.
Suitable for classroom use in World War II units.