The Last Mission (Laurel-Leaf Historical Fiction) [Paperback]

Harry Mazer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Laurel-Leaf Historical Fiction | Publication Date: January 15, 1981

In 1944, as World War II is  raging across Europe, fifteen-year-old Jack Raab  dreams of being a hero. Leaving New York City, his  family, and his boyhood behind, Jack uses a false  I.D. and lies his way into the U.S. Air  Force.



From their base in England, he and his crew  fly twenty-four treacherous bombing missions over  occupied Europe. The war is almost over and Hitler  near defeat when they fly their last mission -- a  mission destined for disaster. Shot down far  behind enemy lines, Jack is taken prisoner and sent to  a German POW camp, where his experiences are more  terrifying than anything he'd ever imagined.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In 1944, as World War II is raging across Europe, fifteen-year-old Jack Raab dreams of being a hero. Leaving New York City, his family, and his boyhood behind, Jack uses a false I.D. and lies his way into the U.S. Air Force.

From their base in England, he and his crew fly twenty-four treacherous bombing missions over occupied Europe. The war is almost over and Hitler near defeat when they fly their last mission -- a mission destined for disaster. Shot down far behind enemy lines, Jack is taken prisoner and sent to a German POW camp, where his experiences are more terrifying than anything he'd ever imagined.

From the Inside Flap

In 1944, as World War II is  raging across Europe, fifteen-year-old Jack Raab  dreams of being a hero. Leaving New York City, his  family, and his boyhood behind, Jack uses a false  I.D. and lies his way into the U.S. Air  Force.



From their base in England, he and his crew  fly twenty-four treacherous bombing missions over  occupied Europe. The war is almost over and Hitler  near defeat when they fly their last mission -- a  mission destined for disaster. Shot down far  behind enemy lines, Jack is taken prisoner and sent to  a German POW camp, where his experiences are more  terrifying than anything he'd ever imagined.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (January 15, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440947979
• ISBN-13: 978-0440947974
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.5 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Military & Wars

More About the Author

Harry Mazer is the author of many books for young readers, including A Boy at War and A Boy No More, which introduced Adam Pelko; The Wild Kid; and Snow Bound. His books have won numerous honors, including the Horn Book Honor List and the ALA Best Books for Young Adults citations. He is the recipient of the ALAN Award. Harry Mazer lives in New York City and Montpelier, Vermont.

Harry Mazer says, "After I finished A Boy at War, I wanted to write about Adam Pelko again, but what was the story to be? It wasn't until after the tragedies of September eleventh that I found the focus I needed to continue his story." Periods of war and national emergency have never been kind to personal liberties. In the aftermath of September eleventh many Arab and Muslim Americans find themselves under suspicion and their rights jeopardized. In some ways this is what happened after Pearl Harbor, when Japanese Americans were demonized and their rights were trampled. I know that history never simply repeats itself, but I hope that through Adam and Davi's story readers will recognize the parallels--and the perils."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Teaching Tool, November 16, 2005

By 

Robert Dryfuse (Toledo, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Mission (Laurel-Leaf Historical Fiction) (Paperback)

I am a high school history teacher. This book is an excellent teaching tool for freshmen or sophomore history classes (some of the older kids thought that the reading level was too easy). The majority of my students liked the book as it brought a wealth of additional color and background to the classroom lecture notes. The fact that the protagonist is 16 and there is a "love story" subplot makes it even better.

As far as the swearing, it is not at all excessive and actually adds to the book as it shows the culture shock that 16 year old Jack underwent when he joined the Army Air Force. Also...from a historical standpoint..people did swear back then! Trust me...it is nothing worse than I as a teacher (quite unfortunately) hear in the hallways on a daily basis.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Last Mission by Harry Mazer, July 9, 2005

By 

Barbara Gerry - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Mission (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

I am a special educator in a middle school and upon receiving this book as part of our curriculum, my first thought was "Oh no, not about war...my students will hate it...I can hear the complaints now..." but to my surprise, my students loved the story! I had a hard time getting them to put the book down so that other types of learning could occur. Needless to say, we did finish this book in record time and it left me with a great sense of pride for them...and my students felt the same way...not only were they able to finish it before the due date, they surprised themselves! Their recall, as well as quiz and test scores, went through the roof...they even asked me if they could create something as a final project...imagine that!!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An accurate account of World War 2 aerial combat, December 2, 2000

By 

Julio Mazariegos (Potomac, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Mission (Laurel-Leaf Historical Fiction) (Paperback)

When I first read this book, I was in 6th grade. Now I am in 11th and I still read this book when I can. It was wonderfuly written and execllent images Harry Mazer used. I say that it was a great book and everyone should read it.Getting in the Air Force at 15 and making it at the end, never read something like it.