The Winter War

March 1, 2008
Gr 5-9-In 1939 Finland, Marko serves proudly as a sky watcher, a junior member of the Civil Guard. On November 30, when Russian bombers attack his village, his best friend is killed, and his younger sister and brother must evacuate to Sweden. A chance encounter with a former teacher, now an army lieutenant, propels Marko, who still limps as a result of a bout with polio, to the front lines. His familiarity with the area around Savolahti and his orienteering skills make him an ideal clandestine messenger, carrying information back and forth between the small companies of soldiers hidden in the hills. The Winter War, a little-known campaign of World War II, comes to life as Marko relates his experiences during the bone-chilling months of 1939 and 1940. Durbin's graphic depictions of the realities of war are not for the faint of heart, and he does not soften his message regarding the lack of support that America and the world showed Finland during this time. More than a war story, though, this is a tale of resilience and self-discovery: Marko finds unsuspected reservoirs of strength within himself. The endings for him and his friends are a little too pat, but an afterword and sources for further study will satisfy readers who want to learn more. An engaging novel for adventure lovers and fans of historical fiction alike."Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2007
When Russia invades Finland in 1939, Marcos younger brothers and sisters are evacuated. Although he has one crippled leg, Marco still wants to defend his country. His high-school teacher enlists him in the Junior Civil Guard, where he plays an essential role in the guerilla resistancerunning messages, shoveling snow, digging trenches, making Molotov cocktails, helping the medics, and, finally, rescuing his wounded friend, Karl. The details are grim about the three-month struggle in one of the coldest winters in history: Karl comes home to find his family butchered, and Marco sees another friend blown up. Packed with action, this is history seldom told, and World War II buffs will be drawn by the role of the boy on the battlefront who witnesses the reality so different from patriotic talk of a field of glory. Durbins extensive research is documented in a long historical note; he also appends a bibliography of films, books, and Web sites.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)