Customer Reviews

My Friend the Enemy

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Little Hazel is mad. She's mad at the war, and she's mad at the stupid Japs for ruining her birthday. She thinks it's their entire fault that no one has time for her, and that her closest friend and her brother are leaving to join the army. Everyone is leaving this little tomboy - or so she feels. At school, she belongs nowhere. The girls are too girly and the boys are too irritating. At home, she doesn't seem to fit. Her mother always tells her to do chores, her sister is always smitten, and her father is just quiet. Hazel has plenty of time to go off on her own. However, Hazel found herself in a most surprising friendship of friendships - she somehow made friends with Sogoji, the "maid" the neighbors have, who also happens to be a Japanese boy.

My Friend the Enemy caught my eye at first because of the title and the controversy in it. When I started reading the book, the first line being, "I didn't mean to do it. I just got carried away." it automatically FORCED me to keep going. I mean, who would actually put a book down right after reading that? What kept me into the book was modest Hazel. She caught my heart right when she had to part from Jed, her closest friend; and from then on I was totally hooked; and the friendship that Hazel found was just awe-inspiring.

I enjoyed the first person narrative, and how some scenes blend from reality right into her imagination, though a less than careful reader might be confused. The story is full of great characters, exciting adventures, tender friendships, and hard-reality situations. An excellent story of friendship, courage, patriotism, and over-coming prejudice.

Age recommendation: 11 and up (maybe lower, if the child is mature and a good reader)