Don't You Know There's A War On? (2003) - Plot & Excerpts
In the continuing adventures of Monica Reads Poorly-Circulating Children’s Books To Find Out Why They’re Not Circulating, I picked up Don’t You Know There’s A War On?Final verdict: Meh.I feel kind of bad about it, to be honest! It’s not a bad book, I just don’t know what exactly to do with it. I feel like it wouldn't interest younger readers, but it's too young for older ones.On the upside, the slang was fun—it’s probably a sign that I read too much fanfic that the dialogue throughout reminded me of a Steve Rogers Before He Became Captain America story (“I got me a bingo-whacko on the old bean, I’m telling you”). And all the historical drop-ins were interesting: Ration books! Scrap collecting! Head-lice examination day! Radio soap operas! Lana Turner!Plus, it started me down an interesting line of thought about what the psychological and emotional ramifications would be of growing up in the middle of World War II. I have read, by this point, a decent number of books for this age group that take place during the war, but this one had Brief But Deep Moments that sort of came out of nowhere: “I mean, it should be that grown-ups stay put. It’s kids that are supposed to go. But during the war, see, it was just the opposite. It was us kids who had the job of trying to keep things normal.”Won’t somebody think of the children!?But despite that, it’s overall such a light story, with such an obvious plot, and I couldn’t get over Howie’s crush on Miss Gossim. Because seriously? He’s basically stalking her. And maybe things were different back in Ye Olde 1943, but if my doorbell rang in the middle of the night during a blackout drill and it was one of my twelve-year-old students, I sure as hell wouldn’t lounge with him in my living room by candlelight whilst dressed in nothing but a skimpy dressing gown.And then, because it’s Avi, we have a nebulous, vaguely-depressing ending. As per the usual.Yep. Definitely meh.
RECORDED BOOOKS (unabridged) 2003, narrated by Nick Landrum.Cass: I can't figure out how to add the audio cassette version, so I've attached my review to the paperback listing.(CIP) In wartime Brooklyn in 1943, eleven-year-old Howie Crispers mounts a campaign to save his favorite teacher from being fired.(Claudia) For the narration alone, Don’t You Know… is an irresistible read, as Howie Crispers confidentially gives us the scoop on his wartime (WWII) experiences in Brooklyn during his 5th grade year … in marvelous period slang, ably performed by Nick Landrum. Howie is a believable, and likable, pre-adolescent, worrying about his Dad (in the merchant marine), falling for his strict but beautiful teacher, trying to uncover an unpopular principal as a spy ... There’s plenty of period detail and some homefront perspective on the war, all well integrated into an active plot that keeps Howie—and the reader’s attention—moving briskly along. Gr. 4-7(SLJ) “This fast-paced, realistic, and heartwarming story will be appreciated by young readers.”(Booklist) “… an affectionate comedy … Avi keeps the story-telling light, with fast dialogue and lots of lively detail.”
What do You think about Don't You Know There's A War On? (2003)?
Don't You Know There's a War On? takes place during World War II and Howie Crispers, best friend of Denny, is determined to catch a spy. Or at least help the war effort in any way he can- see, his dad is away in the war, dodging U-boats and trying to get home whenever he can. Denny's dad is away, too. Together, they make a pact not to keep any secrets from each other- but things get complicated when 11 year old Howie suspects PS 8's principal, Dr. Lommister to be a spy- and ends up with a whole heap of grown-up sized trouble.I enjoyed the book- it was a quick read and full of fun slang from the time. For that reason, I think it might be a bit troublesome for a younger reader, but the plot is really moving. I love all the mischief Howie finds himself in- even though he just wants to help! I also love that it's his little sister, Gloria, who comes to the rescue.
—Amanda
This book offers a fabulous point of view of World War II from a boy from Brooklyn. It's interesting how the author incorporates how life was, the support of the war effort, censored mail, women in the work force while their husbands were fighting, with the story of Howie Crispers' desire to keep his favorite teacher from losing her job.I enjoyed reading how involved the children were in the war effort - saving their pennies for war stamps, collecting paper, aluminum and glass, enduring food shortages, etc.
—Melinda
What was it like to be a kid during World War II? What was it like to not hear from your father and worry about where he was and what was happening to him? What about rationing, air raid drills, and the threat of enemy spies? This novel, written for a pre-teen audience takes the reader into the daily life of a boy in Brooklyn in 1943, and lets us get a glimpse of what life was like during the Second World War.The childhood perspective here magnifies the impact of the war, where nothing is certain, and threats are everywhere. Our narrator, Howie, is sure that the principal of his school must be a German spy, so when Howie is running late on his way to school one day and sees his principal entering a house, his suspicions are aroused. He follows, and learns that his teacher is about to be fired, which set Howie off on a quest to save his teacher’s job.The dialog here feels authentic to boys of this age as well as to the time and place of the story. The details here help immerse the reader in the reality of life in the U.S. during the war, with food and other shortages, women joining the workforce, and the relentless news coverage of the progress of the war. Against this backdrop, Howie and his friends struggle to take control of something in their lives, which otherwise seem utterly out of their control.An excellent story for both children and their parents, which could provide the basis for a discussion about a wide range of topics.
—Andrew
