On the Wings of Heroes

Starred review from January 8, 2007
Peck (A Year Down Yonder
) concocts another delicious mixture of humor, warmth and local color in this period piece, which describes America during WWII through the eyes of a Midwestern boy, Davy Bowman. The 1940s are a time of sacrifice for the Bowman family and a time of collecting for young Davy, who does his patriotic duty by gathering "whatever it took to win the war." Davy's search for scrap metal ("Five thousand tin cans will make a shell casing," his friend muses") leads him to mysterious Mr. Stonecypher, who lives in the oldest house in the neighborhood and who lost a son in another war. While hunting for milkweed ("for stuffing in life jackets, to keep shipwrecked sailors afloat"), Davy has his first run-in with old Miss Titus, a cantankerous woman, who ends up taking charge of his class during the teacher shortage ("We weren't used to a teacher who looked like a walnut with a mustache"). Throughout the novel, the author adroitly conveys how Davy's boundaries and horizons gradually expand, first beyond his neighborhood and finally overseas, when his brother is sent to Europe. First-person narrative brings the time period to life and vividly captures Davy's sentiments about the war and his family members, especially his father and brother, who are both heroes in Davy's mind. Chock full of eccentric characters and poignant moments, this coming-of-age novel will be embraced by children and grownups alike. Ages 10-up. Agent: Sheldon Fogelman.

July 1, 2007
Gr 5-8- -Richard Peck's novel (Dial, 2007) explores the relationships between fathers and sons, and brothers and friends during the early days of U.S. involvement in World War II. Peck manages a tone that is humorous and sincere in depicting a young boy whose entire world changes when America enters the war and his older brother enlists in the Air Force. Davy Bowman learns about sacrifice and war stamps, scrap collecting and "eight to five orphans"-children left alone when their mothers join the war effort by working in factories. His daily adventures collecting for the war effort with his best friend Scooter temper his worry over his brother Bill's safety. Davy's father, a World War I veteran, keeps up a strong front, but Davy questions his ability to deal with Bill's insecure position flying B-17s in Germany. Ultimately a nostalgic story of family, Peck conveys a well-seasoned lightness throughout to keep the shadow of the war at a distance. Actor Lincoln Hoppe does a good job voicing the characters, especially imbuing the voices of the older characters with the shakiness of age. Hoppe portrays Davy, who is bursting at the seams with life, with a delicate innocence. A good selection for public and school library historical fiction collections, especially where Peck is popular.-Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

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