From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up As a part of a generations-old feud, Woody Glover is assigned to kill Del Griggs to avenge the death of his brother. Woody follows Del into the army and then into combat duty in Vietnam, where each of the boys has second thoughts about the values and attitudes he grew up with. After Del dies saving Woody's life, Woody returns to his home in the Tennessee mountains and tells his family that he will have nothing more to do with the killing. His father disowns him, and Woody sets out to find a new life. Weinberg does a fine job of showing how a youngster can be coerced into a course of action that he instinctively feels to be wrong. Violence, intimidation and appeals to duty and honor lead Woody to participate in acts that he knows are unjustifiable, both at home and in the army. The dialogue in both settings rings true and Weinberg is particularly adept at suggesting the uniquely raw, coarse nature of army speech with a minimum of profanity. Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School Media Center, Vt.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
