Purple Heart

Starred review from August 24, 2009
In this suspenseful psychological thriller, 18-year-old Matt Duffy, a private with memory problems following a traumatic brain injury, receives the Purple Heart in Iraq and gradually unravels the contradictory events that led to the honor. McCormick (Sold
) sharply draws the culture of the Green Zone hospital, the camaraderie of the enlisted men and (via phone calls and letters) the gulf between life at home versus on the front. Friendship, bravado and juvenile antics counteract the soldiers' guilt, paranoia and unease around Iraqis (“ 'Enemy' was the official term. 'Insurgents' was okay, too. Everybody called them hajis, though”). Strong characters heighten the drama, especially likable Matt, but also the sympathetic hospital psychiatrist who balances complicated allegiances and legal obligations, and flinty Charlene, the sole female member of Matt's squad. As Matt remembers more and more, tension builds and he becomes confused about interpretations of the truth (and when to reveal them) within the chain of command. McCormick raises moral questions without judgment and will have readers examining not only this conflict but the nature of heroism and war. Ages 12–up.

ajg16 - Matt Duffy a soilder stationed in Iraq, ends up in the hospital and receives a Purple Heart. (A Purple Heart is for when a soldier is injured in battle) He doesn't remember how he got hurt because of a head injury (TBI - basically a concussion, only worse) So now he is in the hospital trying to piece everything together. Why was he in that alley? Was he alone? Where was is buddy justin? Eventually be gets good enough to go join back into combat with his squad (friends) Justin, Wolf, Charlene, whom have become his family during there time in Iraq. He soon discovers what had happen that day in the alley and he will need to overcome the memories to forgive. This was a really good book, the ending has me so close to tears though. I would recommend this book for 13 and up. Thanks for reading -Ajg15's Reviews