Captain's Command [Paperback]

Anna Myers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Everyone in Gail’s small town believes her father is dead when his plane is shot down in World War II. Everyone but Gail’s mother, who has faith that he’s still alive. Gail’s Uncle Ned has lost his faith after being blinded in the war. Though Gail promised her father to watch out for her uncle, his bitterness over his loss keeps pushing her away. It seems only Captain, Gail’s golden retriever, can break through Ned’s shell.

As Gail and Captain try to save Ned from destroying himself, Gail can’t help wondering if she’ll ever hear from her
father again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though Myers's (Ethan Between Us) novel borders on melodrama, it may well serve as a solid introduction to America's involvement in WWII. The story opens as two men, while thinking about their wives and children, are shot down in a plane somewhere in Europe. The narrative then shifts to sixth-grader Gail's memory of receiving a telegram explaining that her father is missing in action. The story flashes between occupied France and Stonewall, Okla., as Gail and her family await further word of his fate. While Gail's mother and great-grandmother struggle to maintain a normal daily routine, Gail, too, grapples with quotidian concerns: her little sister's Christmas present, run-ins with a schoolmate and her Uncle Ned, blinded by a war injury and wallowing in self-pity. By referring to the two Americans who have been shot down only as "the navigator" and "the gunner," and by creating different fates for the two men, Myers keeps readers in suspense alongside her characters; thus the news of Gail's father's death comes as a blow to readers as well. In an uplifting coda, Gail saves her blind uncle from a fall in a frozen stream, breaks through his wall of indifference and makes her own wartime sacrifice, giving him her beloved golden retriever to serve as a seeing-eye dog. Myers evokes the 1940s era and small-town locale with warmth and authority. Ages 10-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-A moving story set in Oklahoma during World War II. When news arrives that 12-year-old Gail's father is missing in action, her mother insists on business as usual and clings to the belief that he is still alive. The girl's Uncle Ned, blinded in the war and abandoned by his wife, is convinced that his brother is dead, and he becomes increasingly bitter. Each chapter begins with a brief glimpse of a flight navigator and severely wounded gunner (their identities are not revealed until late in the book) as they try to survive and make their way across the countryside, so readers are aware of the possibility that Gail's father may be found alive. With the help of Captain, Gail's golden retriever, Ned is gradually able to overcome his depression and cope with the news of his brother's death when it finally comes. Gail is an especially appealing character, forced to shoulder a great deal of responsibility, but still having all of the vulnerability of a child. Her mother's courage and her great-grandmother's realism provide her with examples that help her endure when she has to rescue her uncle with only the help of her dog. The strengths of the story lie in its realistic portrayal of a family and a small community dealing with grief, and with its well-drawn characters, each responding to sorrow in an individual way so that they can get on with their lives.
Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044041699X
• ISBN-13: 978-0440416999
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,734,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book., December 13, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Captain's Command (Paperback)

Hello, I'm ten years old and a BIG fan of historical fiction, especially World War II stories. I wanted to read Captain's Command only so I could complete my Historical Fiction book report, but it turned out to be something worth re-reading.

In this story, a young girl named Gail, and her family (Siblings Timmy and Mary Nell, and her mother) learn that Gail's father, a World War II soldier, is missing in action. Everyone but Gail's mother believes that he is dead. Meanwhile, Gail's blind uncle Ned is facing his own troubles. Gail's Golden Retriever dog, Captain, may be the key to helping Ned.

Several pages per chapter focus on two men in the war, but it isn't revealed 'till near the end of the story which one is Gail's father, and even then it isn't necessarily mentioned. But when we find out if he's alive or dead, it becomes obvious.

This book was written in a beautiful, flowing way. All the words fit together perfectly and Anna Myers' writing is captivating. The only complaint I have about this book is that I sometimes found my mind wandering, so it wasn't one of those books that you just can't put down.

This isn't necassarily a problem, though, so, for the most part, this book is wonderful, and makes me glad I chose to read it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book Ever!, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Captain's Command (Hardcover)

When Gail finds that her father is missing in action in WWII she's convinced he's still alive. Her Uncle Ned, who was blinded in the war, believes he is dead and is very depressed. He goes out to a creek in a blizzard. It is up to Gail and her golden retriever, Captain, to save him before it is too late! I really liked this book because it kept me on my toes. It was so suspenseful I could hardly put the book down! I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction and action.

2.0 out of 5 stars i was bored and did not know what was going on, November 27, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Captain's Command (Paperback)

i did not know what was going on it was boring i had to stop reading around page 20 because of this DONOT BUY THIS BOOK i do not reccomend it at all.