War Stories, Vol. 2
Grade 10 Up–Four short stories about the futility, the heartbreak, and the rawness of war. All take place in the 1930s and '40s. J for Jenny focuses on World War II fighter pilots; it is followed by The Reivers, which takes place in Africa and has an emphasis on a special-forces unit. The strongest story, Condors, presents a harrowing look at the brutality of the Spanish Civil War and explores ethnocentrism and stereotypes; the final story, Archangel, has a decidedly lighter tone and serves as a satisfying resolution to an otherwise somber collection. Each selection, illustrated by a different artist, evinces a different feeling and portrayal of war. In The Reivers, the art and colors are deftly united, evoking the feelings of being in a night battle; in J for Jenny, a shadowy muted palette of colors is coupled with heavy lines evoking the bleakness of the ensuing conflict. This volume spares its readers none of the brutality and violence of battle. It is an accomplished collection, with frankness and intricate histories, that's best suited for a mature audience.–Jennifer Feigelman, Goshen Public Library and Historical Society, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.