Sentries [Library Binding]

Gary Paulsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2008

The common theme of nuclear disaster and human vulnerability interweaves the lives of four young people, an Ojibway Indian, an illegal Mexican migrant worker, a rock musician, and a sheep rancher's daughter with the lives of three veterans of past wars.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Two sterling novels by the Newbery Honor-winning storyteller. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9 In his anti-nuclear book, Paulsen does not explore the holocaust's aftermathhe just shows the promise of youth unfolding and stops it with a powerful "CLICK"the sound of the bomb being dropped. Paulsen interweaves the developing stories of four teenagers with vignettes about veterans of three wars. The focus storiesa Native American girl denies the heritage that her grandfather tries to force upon her; an illegal alien looks for a better life as a migrant worker; a Montana farm girl tries to convince her father that the farm offers her the life that she wants; and a teenage rock star shuns the lure of drugs to hone his soundare not completely satisfying as the protagonists are more archetypical than real. The self-contained war vignettes concern Lucky, who loves the fury of battle until his limbs are blown off in Vietnam; a farm boy fighting in World War II whose hopes and dreams are destroyed by the schrapnel that severs his spinal cord; and a sharpshooter, sent to Korea, who is destroyed by the terrible need to kill children who are assisting in the massacre of his unit. This emotionally charged story in particular is beautifully crafted and stunningly written. The final vignette focuses on a Bengal tiger and her cub as a flash starts World War III, and all of these lives are gonenot just the young men who fight for their country, but the young (and old) everywhere. Paulsen concentrates on depicting a generation struggling to realize its future, unaware of impending disaster, and he manages to involve readers despite the rigid, choppy format. The ending doesn't work within the structure of the book, but it does serve to emphasize the effects of nuclear war on innocents. Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 171 pages
• Publisher: Fitzgerald Books (August 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1424222257
• ISBN-13: 978-1424222254
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newberry Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars VIgnettes of Human Vulnerabilty and Dignity, August 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sentries (Hardcover)

This is an unusual book--definitely not a novel, for the plot is non-existant. The storyline alternates among 4 teenagers and 3 veterans of different wars--none of whom meet each other. According to the Summary, there is a theme which provides commonality/literary glue (see Heading) but even that is somewhat obscure. The chapters are short and read quickly. Master story-teller Paulsen held my interest because I kept waiting for the four protagonists to interact and solve the world's problems--or at least their own.

But it was not to be, which lead to my frustration and disappointment. If he just wanted to write good short stories, he could have rearranged them, so that readers would realize when the end had been reached about a specific young adult. Nor did I notice any thread of nuclear disaster, as proclaimed on the back of the book. I found human vulnerability and dignity, as these young people sought meaning and direction in their lives. All four pursued th! eir goals differently, but it was unfortuate that they never knew of each other's dilemmas, so they could learn from each other's experience. A sad commentary on the social isolation of the teen years. Knowing the heights to expect from Paulsen, I felt cheated.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart of youths and Mother Nature, June 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sentries (Hardcover)

I am a junior high school teacher in Japan.I found this wonderful book in the school library.Everybody will be amazed by the construction of this book.But the more important thing is the vivid description of the heart of the youth.I love the story of Sue and the story of Lola especially. An Indian girl,Sue,met an Indian boy.And she woke up her self-knowledgement as an Indian.It was described through the changing of the way which she viewed her grandfather.I want to listen to him singing stories about animals,the wind,moon and seasons. The story of Lola,an only child in a sheep ranch,is also impressive .I can imagine the smell of the birth of sheep when reading this stoty.The connection between Lola and her parents through the common work of keeping sheep,was certainly described. The stories of three youths in the battle field are realistic because the auther heard them from the real soldiers from that time.I have been trying to tell the students about the misery of the war,so that the stories of young soldiers are impressive. I read Gary Paulsen's other book"TRACKERS".In this book the boy's changing heart about death was also described vividly. Peter Paulsen said that he wrote these books for youths but they touched on my heart as well although I am 55 years old.I think Gary Paulsen is a wonderful writer who can describe the heart of youths and Mother Nature vividly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting Book, April 25, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sentries (Mass Market Paperback)

Sentries is a book about four people with the same dream. Dave,Laura,Sue,and Peter all have the same dream. Though they do not know each other at all. This book has many intresting events that will make you wonder.Also the life stories of these four people and the things they did to get where they are. Check it out for yourself today and be amazed at what you will find.