America Fights the Tide, 1942

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

This comprehensive, historical series on America's role in World War II is organized and written in a compelling "You Were There" style. Each volume covers one year of the war. Entries are arranged in chronological order, although some dates are omitted, while a few have more than one entry. In this way, the reader gets caught up in what is happening all over the world, including on the homefront. Shameful events (such as the internment of Japanese American citizens) as well as clearly heroic deeds are included. The vivid, newspaper-like style is further enlivened by many direct quotes from primary sources. While the volumes are fascinating and exciting, the horror of war is often brought shockingly to the reader's attention. A prologue giving background information on the previous year, black and white photographs, maps, an index, bibliography, list of important dates and several brief biographies of leaders of the time, add to the book's educational value.

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-- Chronologically arranged in a diary format, this book includes vignettes from various arenas and viewpoints, from California to Burma; from a flight deck in the Pacific to a train bound for Melbourne, Australia; from front-line soldiers (Allied and Axis) to leading dignitaries. Given the immensity and global nature of the conflict, the information is superficial; all too often the details are vague. Moreover, the chapters and corresponding dates jump from one theater of operations to another, potentially confusing readers; hence, background knowledge is a prerequisite. Some of the titles on the reading list are too difficult for junior high audiences. One added feature is the inclusion of brief biographies of the key protagonists. Additional supplementary material. --L. R. Little, Penticton Public Library, B.C., Canada