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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Review: Postcards from a War by Vanita Oelschlager

Title: Postcards from a War
Author: Vanita Oelschlager
Publication: October 1, 2009
Publisher: Vanita Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Children
Audience: 6 and up

Summary
Postcards from a War is about a boy whose mother has recently been deployed overseas to a war. His grandfather, who was about the same age when his father left to serve in World War II, helps him understand why she has gone away. He shares with his grandson postcards and letters sent by his father from the Philippines. The grandfather and grandson collaborate on building a scrapbook that will include these, plus the letters and emails and other communications the boy will get from his mother. Postcards is intended for 4-8 year olds, ones who are old enough to understand that a parent in the military may have to go to a dangerous place, but maybe not why. It shows the important intergenerational bonding that families often experience during times of war.

The postcards and letters in the book were received by the author from her father during World War II.

My Thoughts
We all know someone who has been or will be deployed. This is a wonderful book. It reminded me of when my father was deployed when I was a kid. I remember getting his letters and being so excited. I love the photos of actual letters Oelschlager received from her father during his deployment. 

Mathew's mom has just been deployed overseas. Mathew begins talking to his grandfather about his feelings regarding his mother being gone. His grandfather tells him about his experiences during World War II and his father being in the war. Mathew's grandfather helps him with his feelings and shares how he got threw his father being gone with the help of letters. This is a great book for families with a loved one deployed. 

1 comment:

  1. I saw this book at Books A Million today, and thought it looked a bit familiar. Sounds like a good book to share with children whose parents, family members, etc are deployed.

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