A Medal for Leroy

October 21, 2013
Inspired by Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British army, War Horse author Morpurgo examines WWI from another angle with this novel narrated in the present day by a man named Michael as he looks back at his boyhood. As a nine-year-old in 1940s London, Michael dreads visiting his paternal aunts Mary and Martha, nicknamed Pish and Snowdrop: the trips only remind Michael and his Maman of his late father, Roy, an RAF pilot. Five years later, after Martha’s funeral, Mary sends Michael a framed photo of his father; when the glass breaks, Michael discovers a hidden letter from Martha. What follows is her account of her time as a nurse during WWI in Belgium and a secret love affair, opening Michael’s eyes to his family’s untold history and unrecognized bravery. Martha’s letter to Michael, which makes up the second half of the book, addresses important topics directly, including racial prejudice and unwed motherhood. The novel’s elegant structure and quiet, retrospective narration—both Michael’s and Martha’s—bolster this story about the importance of knowing the truth about one’s heritage. Ages 10–14.

February 1, 2014

Gr 4-8-Michael lives in London in the 1940s with his French mother, who became a war widow before he was born. On a regular basis, they visit Auntie Pish and Auntie Snowdrop, who raised his father. A letter written by Aunt Snowdrop arrives several years after her death, and as Michael reads it, he discovers the truth about his heritage, about his family, and about the bravery of his grandfather, who was black. This letter creates a story within a story, in which Morpurgo deals honestly with themes of war, death, and the racial injustice. According to an author's note, the novel is inspired by the true story of Walter Tull, a black officer in the British Army in World War I, who, although courageous, was never awarded a medal due to the color of his skin. Even though it's short and simple to read, appealing to reluctant readers, this novel offers readers of all ages a beautiful multilayered story of compassion, loyalty, and courage.-Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2014
Grades 3-5 Morpurgo, author of War Horse (2007), returns with another middle-grade historical drama. Londoner Michael doesn't know much about his grandfather Leroy, who died in WWI as one of the rare black members of the RAF. There is a mystery surrounding Leroy that even Michael's mother cannot explain. Then he receives a belated gifta framed photograph of Leroy. This photo, however, contains a secret that, for the first time ever, will tell the forgotten tale of this brave soldier. Here the narrative shifts to a letter that takes us back to WWI, and it's a large chunk of pages, which does slow the book's momentum. It's a fine story, though, even if Leroy's goodness is a bit too perfect to be believed. In fact, the entire book is squeaky-clean, which may make some eyes roll, even while being that warm, gentle read that others savor. Regardless, readers will be moved by Michael's plan to reverse an old unfairnessbecause he was black, Leroy never got his medal, but that's about to change.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)