The Last Mission (Laurel-Leaf Historical Fiction) (Paperback)

by Harry Mazer (Author) "Jack Raab knelt in the shadow of the big bomber..." (more)
Key Phrases: flak suits, waist gunner, bomb run, Jack Raab, Lieutenant Martin, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In 1944, Jack Raab, a 15-year-old who dreams of being a hero, lies his way into the U.S. Air Force. From their base in England, Jack and his crew fly 24 treacherous bombing missions over occupied Europe. Hitler is near defeat, when Jack is shot down behind enemy lines and taken to a German POW camp.

From the Publisher
In 1944, as World War II is raging across Europe, fifteen-year-old Jack Raab dreams of being a hero. Leaving New York City, his family, and his boyhood behind, Jack uses a false I.D. and lies his way into the U.S. Air Force.

From their base in England, he and his crew fly twenty-four treacherous bombing missions over occupied Europe. The war is almost over and Hitler near defeat when they fly their last mission -- a mission destined for disaster. Shot down far behind enemy lines, Jack is taken prisoner and sent to a German POW camp, where his experiences are more terrifying than anything he'd ever imagined.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf; 22nd Printing edition (January 15, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440947979
• ISBN-13: 978-0440947974
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,012 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Teaching Tool, November 16, 2005

By	Robert Dryfuse (Toledo, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a high school history teacher. This book is an excellent teaching tool for freshmen or sophomore history classes (some of the older kids thought that the reading level was too easy). The majority of my students liked the book as it brought a wealth of additional color and background to the classroom lecture notes. The fact that the protagonist is 16 and there is a "love story" subplot makes it even better.

As far as the swearing, it is not at all excessive and actually adds to the book as it shows the culture shock that 16 year old Jack underwent when he joined the Army Air Force. Also...from a historical standpoint..people did swear back then! Trust me...it is nothing worse than I as a teacher (quite unfortunately) hear in the hallways on a daily basis.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Last Mission by Harry Mazer, July 9, 2005

By	Barbara Gerry - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Last Mission (School & Library Binding)

I am a special educator in a middle school and upon receiving this book as part of our curriculum, my first thought was "Oh no, not about war...my students will hate it...I can hear the complaints now..." but to my surprise, my students loved the story! I had a hard time getting them to put the book down so that other types of learning could occur. Needless to say, we did finish this book in record time and it left me with a great sense of pride for them...and my students felt the same way...not only were they able to finish it before the due date, they surprised themselves! Their recall, as well as quiz and test scores, went through the roof...they even asked me if they could create something as a final project...imagine that!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An accurate account of World War 2 aerial combat, December 3, 2000

By	Julio Mazariegos "[e-mail]" (Potomac, MD USA) - See all my reviews

When I first read this book, I was in 6th grade. Now I am in 11th and I still read this book when I can. It was wonderfuly written and execllent images Harry Mazer used. I say that it was a great book and everyone should read it.Getting in the Air Force at 15 and making it at the end, never read something like it.