A Place Called Heartbreak: A Story of Vietnam (Stories of America) [Paperback]

Walter Dean Myers (Author), Frederick Porter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0811480771 | ISBN-13: 978-0811480772

Describes the ordeal of Major Fred Cherry, who was shot down in combat over Vietnam and spent seven-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-- In a book that reads more like a novel than nonfiction, Myers tells the story of Col. Fred V. Cherry, U.S.A.F. (Ret.), who was a prisoner of the North Vietnamese from Oct. 22, 1965-Feb. 12, 1973. He relates how Cherry, an African American, overcame obstacles during his youth to attend college and fulfill his boyhood dream of becoming an Air Force fighter pilot. It was on a mission from Thailand to North Vietnam that squadron leader Cherry was shot down, thus becoming the first black pilot to become a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. His experiences there, as well as some background information and his present feelings about the Vietnam War, are presented in well-organized hi/lo prose; this is accomplished without oversimplification or generalizations. Myers indicates in the notes that he had extensive interviews with his subject; it is likely that these were the source of the dialogue and his internal thoughts. In any event, they ring true and contribute greatly to holding readers' interest. Several well-rendered full-page line illustrations augment and illuminate the text. Unfortunately, there is no index. --David A. Lindsey, Lakewood Junior/Senior High School, WA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Steck-Vaughn Company (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811480771
• ISBN-13: 978-0811480772
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,883,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Walter Dean Myers is a New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed author who has garnered much respect and admiration for his fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for young people. Winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award, he is considered one of the preeminent writers for children. He lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, with his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossed!, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Place Called Heartbreak: A Story of Vietnam (Stories of America) (Paperback)

Engrossed is the only possible description for my boys when reading this book. The chapters are short enough to keep a reluctant reader going, the black & white illustrations add to the story. Myers' historic notes at the end add value to a well disguised history lesson. My boys are ages 13 and 12.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Place Called Heatbreak, September 18, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Place Called Heartbreak: A Story of Vietnam (Stories of America) (Library Binding)

'A Place Called Heartbreak' is a fairly good book.I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to know about the Vietnam War. I gave the book three stars. My favorite part was when Fred Cherry was finally let out of prison. He was an airforce pilot for the USA. He was captured when his plane was shot down by a North Vietnamese soldier. While he was in prison he taught the other prisoners "tap." Soldiers had to learn a tap code to communicate with other prisoners in different cells. That was pretty cool. This book was okay. Try it.--Baseball Stud