Kid Soldier
A young boy's journey through war and self-discovery
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Dundurn Group Ltd
Published:7th Nov '13
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Fifteen-year-old Richard enlists in the army, seeking adventure during World War II, but faces dire consequences when his true age is revealed in Kid Soldier.
In Kid Soldier, we follow the journey of fifteen-year-old Richard Fuller, a boy grappling with the absence of his father and yearning for adventure. Living in St. Catharines, Ontario, Richard finds himself drawn to the stories of a former military man, Mr. Black, who offers him a job as a delivery boy. Through their interactions, Richard learns about the military and even picks up Morse code, fueling his fascination with army life. The year is 1939, and as the world edges closer to war, Richard's longing for excitement leads him to make a life-changing decision.
When Richard attends the local military camp's opening ceremonies, he is captivated by the atmosphere and the camaraderie of the soldiers. Under an assumed name, he participates in army training camp, fully aware that he is lying about his age. As the reality of war sets in, Richard enlists, eager to escape his mundane life. His journey takes him across the ocean to Britain, where he witnesses the harrowing events of the Battle of Britain and endures the chaos of the London Blitz, experiencing both the horrors of war and the loss of innocence.
However, Richard's adventure comes with serious consequences. As he faces the reality of his situation, including the risk of a court-martial upon the discovery of his true age, he must confront the implications of his impulsive choices. Kid Soldier is a poignant tale of bravery, the quest for belonging, and the harsh realities of growing up amidst the backdrop of war.
Maruno creates a well-realized world for Richard and her readers in every setting she places him, be it the humid house where his mother does her laundry work or the tense scouting and air-raid scenes in England. * School Library Journal (US) *
Maruno’s attention to detail and loyalty to source material adds significant verisimilitude to the historical setting. * Publishers Weekly *
Maruno excels at presenting scenes, rather than telling readers what to think. * Canadian Materials Magazine *
[Jennifer Maruno] provides many interesting details of the daily lives of both civilians and military, in Canada and England. This replaces the more dramatic battle scenes expected in a WWII novel, and Maruno’s strength is the research. * Canadian Materials magazine *
- Commended for Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom selection 2013 (Canada)
- Short-listed for Rocky Mountain Book Award 2015 (Canada)
ISBN: 9781459706774
Dimensions: 203mm x 127mm x 25mm
Weight: 220g
208 pages