From the Publisher
The letters between a young soldier in Iraq and a class in Long Island. For ages 8-10.
Booklist
This handsomely designed book features correspondence which took place in 2008 between fourth-grade students from Long Island, New York, and a 25-year-old soldier serving with the Army National Guard in Iraq. Each double-page spread consists of a student's handwritten letter on colorful stationary accompanied by a drawing from the child or a classmate on the left; on the right are Falvey's email responses along with well-chosen personal photographs. The students inquire about Falvey's well-being and pose difficult questions, such as, "Why are we fighting for Iraq's freedom?" Falvey responds to each letter in an articulate, succinct, respectful, and upbeat manner. The letters and emails have been designed and edited for clarity and to avoid repetitions, allowing readers to learn an ample amount about the likes and dislikes of First Lieutenant Falvey and his activity in Iraq. This title could be used as a segue into a work of fiction such as Love You, Soldier by Amy Hest (1991), which is about a different war, but with just as much heart.
Children's Literature
Mrs. Hutt's fourth grade class in Roslyn, New York, decided they would write to a soldier in Iraq; this book is the result. Lieutenant David Falvey from Massachusetts—a surprisingly confident and articulate correspondent—was the soldier. The children's touchingly naive letters are presented, along with their patriotic artwork and Falvey's e-mail replies. He answers their questions in a thoughtful way, tailored to what he believes they can understand, emphasizing details that will interest and reassure nine- and ten-year olds. Pictures he sends show military life in his unit and views of Iraq and Kuwait; scenes of horror or destruction are avoided. Falvey returned unharmed from his nine-month tour of duty and appears to feel that his experience was a positive one. Trained in the University of Massachusetts' Army ROTC program, he served in the Military Police, escorting top government officials of Iraq and the U.S., and retains his association with the military both as a National Guard reserve officer and a civilian contractor. Though the story is heart-warming in some respects, teachers and parents may have mixed reactions depending on their political convictions and values about war and peace. Falvey's tour of duty was atypical for many National Guardsmen; his explanation of the war treads very carefully, avoiding any comment on its legality or its devastating effects on the Iraqi people. Hutt says her class had discussions about heroes and helping others—young readers of this book would profit from a wider range of opinion about the war in Iraq. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft
School Library Journal
Gr 3–5—While serving in Iraq in 2008, First Lieutenant David Falvey received a packet of letters from Julie Hutt's fourth-grade class in Roslyn, NY. The children's correspondences and drawings, paired with Falvey's thoughtful answers and photographs from his deployment, are reproduced in an inviting, child-friendly format. In his two-page introduction, Falvey explains the political situation that led up to the conflict and concentrates on the human aspects of his job as a military policeman. The students' questions range from the conversational (if Falvey has pets or plays a musical instrument, etc.) to the more serious. When asked if the war will be over soon, Falvey simply replies, "The President of the United States is our Commander-in-Chief, and it is his decision." One child inquires, "Why are we fighting for Iraq's freedom? Do some people not want freedom?" and Falvey responds by discussing Al-Qaeda and terrorism, noting, "The hope with Iraq is to have a free country in the heart of the Middle East, where Al-Qaeda is unwelcome, and that this freedom will spread throughout the Middle East, creating a safer world." For some youngsters, the book may seem unrealistic, since it seldom mentions danger or death. However, those with relatives in the military may appreciate a gentle book that helps their peers understand more about military life.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Kirkus Reviews
For several months in 2008, fourth-grade students in Roslyn, Long Island, wrote letters and sent artwork to Falvey, a platoon leader with a military police detail stationed in Baghdad. The letters were chatty, supportive, thoughtful and sometimes difficult to answer; the artwork, wonderful. Falvey answered every child, and his responses were thoughtfully, clearly and respectfully worded; the personal photos he sent to the class further illuminated his comments. The slim book is handsomely designed, with children's bright stationery and colorful artwork featured on left-hand pages and Falvey's e-mails and photographs opposite; childish handwriting and drawings are juxtaposed with more formal type set against camouflaged backgrounds. Questions range in topic from "Why are we fighting for Iraq's freedom?" to "Do you have any pets?" and are answered with equal care for his audience. Children and adults will come away with a better understanding of life in the military and perhaps of America's efforts in that region. Happily, Falvey and company returned safely in June 2008, after completing numerous successful combat missions and having sustained no casualties. (Nonfiction. 8-11)
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