From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-- It is 1918, and Mason finds that the new year isn't much different than the old in his rural Vermont community. The adults are still talking about the war overseas, but Mason's biggest problem is closer to home: the bully Aden Cutler. Frustrated and helpless to fight back against the older, larger boy, Mason wishes that Aden were dead. Then Aden joins the army, and he never comes back from the war. In its examination of a young boy's feelings of guilt over another's death, the book has echoes of On My Honor (Clarion, 1986) by Marion Dane Bauer, but without that novel's power. Mason's guilt is not so much because he believes that wishing for Aden's death made it happen, but because he never thanked Aden for one small, unexpected act of kindness. In a subplot that runs counterpoint to Mason's relationship with Aden, he also has to deal with a little brother whom he views as a pest. Even when railing against the injustices of the bully's actions, Mason seems oblivious to the fact that he treats his brother in the same manner. By the end of the year, and the book, Mason has matured, reevaluated his treatment of his brother, and repaid Aden's kindness with a simple gesture of his own. There are some qualities to recommend this book, but it tries to cover so much in so few pages that it lacks impact. Readable, but ultimately not very memorable. --Susan M. Harding, Mesquite Pub . Lib . , TX
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
Long plagued by Aden, a relentless bully, Mason is so taken aback when the older boy suddenly retrieves a drawing that Mason has made for his father (it has blown onto dangerously thin ice) that he doesn't even thank him. Mason's father is a wise, kind man who has explained to Mason that Aden's character is a response to his own abusive father; Aden's single generous act is motivated by his observation that Mason's father is ``real gentle with [horses]. Didn't beat `em or anything.'' Before Mason can follow up his new insights, Aden goes off to WWI. News of his death and of the Armistice arrive together, leaving Mason to make peace with himself by taking a more charitable attitude toward Ira, his little brother. It's unusual for an author to follow an ordinary beginning with such a strong conclusion. The circumstances here--the bullied boy passing on the contempt he endures, the conscientiously described period details of farm life in Vermont, are clearly presented but predictable. Still, they serve their purpose well, setting the scene for the dramatic incident on the ice, Mason's subsequent confusion and grief, a touching encounter with Aden's mother, and his eventual reconciliation with little Ira. A fine early chapter book by the author of The Canada Geese Quilt (1989). Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 7-11) --
Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
