Annie's War [Hardcover]

Jacqueline Levering Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2007 | Age Level: 8 and up

One year after WWII, ten-year-old Annie Leigh is sent to stay with her grandmother in Walla Walla, Washington. She begins an imaginary friendship with President Harry S. Truman because she believes he can find her father, who is missing in action, and help her deal with Uncle Billy, whose prejudice threatens her new friendship with Gloria, a black woman, and her close-knit family.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—At the end of World War II, 10-year-old Annie's father is still missing in action. She refuses to believe that he won't return home, so she periodically has conversations with President Truman about him. (No one can convince her that she isn't just dreaming these talks.) During the summer, she visits her paternal grandmother in Walla Walla, WA, where her 19-year-old uncle, a bitter war veteran, has taken up with the "wrong crowd." His anger and prejudice are set in motion when his mother rents an apartment to a young African-American woman. Annie immediately befriends Gloria Jean, which causes Billy's anger to escalate even more. The tensions build and Annie knows that she alone can change her uncle. Her father is finally found, blind and suffering from amnesia. In the final pages the family is reunited. As Annie narrates her story, she presents the characters from her point of view. Her smart mouth and bratty behavior are tolerated without comment except by Uncle Billy. His adjustment to civilian life after the war is real, but does not explain or justify his prejudice. Gloria Jean, the calm, rational voice for Annie, is a bit too perfect. The story moves smoothly, except at the end. Annie's father's return is anticlimactic and is treated with less importance than the beginning would suggest. Events and characters are wrapped up almost too neatly with the suggestion of happily ever after. Still, fans of the "Dear America" series (Scholastic) will enjoy it.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

World War II is over, but anger and suffering continue on the home front. When Annie, 10, joins Grandma for the summer in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1946, the family is still grieving for Annie's daddy, who has been MIA, as well as for Daddy's brother, Billy, whose wartime experiences have transformed him into a raging bully. When Grandma takes in Miss Gloria as a lodger and bookkeeper, neighborhood racists, including Billy, attack the newcomer as "darkie trash" and set a cross aflame in the yard. Based on events in Sullivan's childhood, this debut novel tells this story of lost innocence through the eyes of a child who is trying to make sense of what's going on around her. Miss Gloria is much too sweet to be true, but her sadness and strength come through, as does a realistic view of bigotry and courage, grief and kindness. Rochman, Hazel

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 190 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (August 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802853250
• ISBN-13: 978-0802853257
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,246,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A turbulent year for Annie, September 9, 2007

By 

john r faust "Portland reader" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Annie's War (Hardcover)

Annie's War takes young readers into the 1940's and life in small town America just after World War II. The book reads as though it is written by the eleven-year-old, and so it is a telling that will be realistic to its target audience. They will feel Annie's angst over her missing soldier father, her relocation and separation from her mother, and racial prejudice puzzling to a child. It's effective.
A good read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, September 9, 2009

By 

Gina R. Capaldi - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Annie's War (Paperback)

I found this book so compelling. I love the characters and plot. The voice of this story draws you in. One of the best reads in a very long time. I love Annie's War!