Reviewed for SJSU LIBR 264 Summer 2014Year of the Jungle is an autobiographical picture book of the year author Suzanne Collins' father went enlisted in the army and was sent overseas to Vietnam. The story portrays the confusion and fear of a young girl struggling to understand where and why her father is going; and learning the meaning and horrors of war. Much like the story and Suzanne's childhood self, the images begin innocent and happy, full of life and color. As the story progresses and young Suzy begins to understand where her father is and why he is there, the images become darker and more frightening. The simple language used in this story along with the imagery and emotions expressed by Suzy provide an age-appropriate outlet for young readers to read about war and the way it effects soldiers and their families.This was a very simple story but it was also very tragic and profound. As an adult reader, I cringed at Suzy's naivete when she states early on in the story that she wishes she could go with her father because her favorite television show is also set in the jungle. Gradually, Suzy begins to realize the truth of the matter and it becomes all the more difficult to read her thoughts and see the pictures transform from cartoon dreamscapes to nightmarish scenes with guns and helicopter. It is a poignant read for anyone whose family has been effected by war. Suzanne Collins tells the story of a year in her own childhood and how her father's deployment to Vietnam. She begins as an eight-year-old who doesn't know where Vietnam is and how long a year is. She learns that there is a jungle, and the reader gets to see her image of what a jungle is like. This image, however, changes and grows darker as she experiences other people's reaction to his being gone like the worried expressions and the extra candy people give her out of sympathy at Halloween. The images grow darker as the postcards become more infrequent and her father sends the wrong child a birthday wish and as she is accidentally exposed to a news report. Her father comes home and things return to normal but not the same. This story will certainly be a good one to use to get children talking who are going through similar experiences today. One of the things that made me even sadder for the child of today was that Collins had the knowledge that once her dad made it home, he was home for good. With soldiers being deployed multiple times today, there is no such assurance. Certainly each deployment has to be harder and harder on children too because of what they do come to understand.
What do You think about Year Of The Jungle (2013)?
Suzanne Collins recalls a year of her life and her feelings when her father was sent to Vietnam.
—Tanmaiyii
This type of book is so needed for our military families and parents that get deployed.
—Jazzybabiie
Yikes! This never would have been published if it weren't by you know who...Hated it!
—Reema
