The Forty-Third War (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books) [Paperback]

Louise Moeri (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books | Publication Date: September 27, 1993

A twelve-year-old boy learns about death and the conflicts that grip his Central American country when he's pressed into military service and trained as a soldier.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At 12, Uno is the only remaining male in his Central American family when he is conscripted by the rebel army. The current conflict, the 43rd war in the history of Uno's unnamed country, has killed or taken all other available men from his village, and Uno has been dreading the day he is found and pressed into service. Without him, how will his mother and sisters survive? The rebel forces, who seem initially to be kidnappers, reveal themselves quickly as the better side: the loyalists are well-equipped bullies who serve the corrupt upper class, while the rebels are decent, if desperate. Readers follow Uno for eight harrowing days, through training and battle, until the war ends. Although the novel begins slowly, Uno's adventure, once it has begun, outweighs the author's conscientious message about Central America. Ending on a note of optimism, Moeri ( Star Mother's Youngest Child ) has created a moving, solid novel on a very timely subject. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-9-- This story of a 12-year-old boy involuntarily conscripted into rebel forces in a fictitious Central American country is a piece of political fiction highly suitable for adjunct classroom reading in a curriculum focusing on the history of that area; contemporary issues; or questions of freedom, impending adulthood, and national priorities/patriotism. Uno, his cousin, and his friend are taken from their village by the revolutionary forces, leaving behind their families, security, and innocence. They are taught to ambush, loot, survive in the jungles, and kill. But they are also taught a new awareness of their country's problems, loyalty to their fellow soldiers, and a premature passion for life and its treasures. There are no neat answers, no pat solutions here. Moeri has skillfully tackled a subject, however, that may not have a wide appeal to young adult readers. Essential coverage of military drills, strategies, and artillery become dry reading. A fine discussion book, and certainly a first purchase in areas of high refugee populations from South America. --Catherine vanSonnenberg, LaJolla Country Day School, CA
Copyright 1989 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 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 27, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395669553
• ISBN-13: 978-0395669556
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,007,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book portraying war, December 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Forty-Third War (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books) (Paperback)

This is a good book that deals with war in Central America. I had to read it as EC for World Geography and was awed by the way it described how children would feel about being part of guerlla forces and war. In the US, kids take for granted that they don't have to even consider such situations, and Moeri's book is a good eye-opener to the world of Central America.

5.0 out of 5 stars An acute view into history and conflict for juvenile readers, December 26, 2007

By 

X. Li (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Forty-Third War (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books) (Paperback)

I remember picking up this book some years ago in sixth grade. The fact that the characters were my age and could be related to confronted me with a harsh and violent reality in stark opposition to the security of life in suburban America. A middle-class child in the U.S. has no real experience of difficult socio-economic conditions or political turmoil--this book quite vividly makes concrete and living the personal experience of being enveloped in the pain and despair of war, an experience that is all too common outside of the First World bourgeoisie's bubble of Eloi peace and prosperity.

Moreover, over the years, I have connected to this book again and again, and especially, but not only in studying history and international politics. In Uno's fictional (but quite real) country, 42 previous civil wars had been fought, accomplishing nothing. How is he to hope that the senseless trauma of the 43rd would bring any change? With the symbol of recurrent war, Moeri captures the tragic tenacity and indestructibility of political instability characteristic of Central American history (but also, in a larger scope, the nature of historical social, political, economic problems in general), the despair and powerlessness in struggling in the vise of inexorable and impersonal forces (not only those of history and politics, but throughout life), and the human condition of futility and hope.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Action Story, May 30, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Forty-Third War (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books) (Paperback)

I think this story was great. Uno, who is always messing up, is always getting yelled at. The more experienced soldiers, Juan and Esteban, are very mean and dirty. Lolo, one of Uno's friends, seems to be very nice to Uno. Uno thinks that Lolo maves him feel better when he is down. Ignacio, Uno's other friend, comforts Uno when Lolo is gone. In conclusion, I think ihis story was great.
A Great War Story!!!!!!!!!!