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kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fabulous- well written, touching, funny, disturbing, informative, sad... so many adjectives fit how this book makes you feel.
When I started it I didn't know much about the Vietnam War, but reading about Richie Perry, a 17 year old boy from Harlen, in the boonies of 'Nam taught me more than I ever thought I would and not just facts, but the down and dirty of a soldier in the middle of it all.
When I started it I didn't know much about the Vietnam War, but reading about Richie Perry, a 17 year old boy from Harlen, in the boonies of 'Nam taught me more than I ever thought I would and not just facts, but the down and dirty of a soldier in the middle of it all.
annalisenak97's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This was an intense book, but a really, really good one. And an important one--even though this is a work of fiction, I still learned a lot about the fighting in Viet Nam, and (more importantly) about the potential mindsets and experiences of the soldiers who went through it. These characters are flesh and blood, and they tell a compelling and nuanced story.
linaleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Not my usual war novel, but it was interesting although some of the war references did go a little over my head.
izumisano's review against another edition
DNF at 54%.
This book is never something I would choose to read for myself. If it wasn't a book club book I would have gladly kept passing it by. The subject matter and the writing style is something that doesn't interest me. I can see why the book was awarded, but a book that was meant to interested 13 year old boys couldn't keep my attention. I wasn't sure where the plot was going, which character was which, or whether it was worth it to get to the end. The writing wasn't to the point where I couldn't finish the book, I just didn't have the time. But now that the obligation is gone, I doubt I'll ever have the motivation to finish it.
This book is never something I would choose to read for myself. If it wasn't a book club book I would have gladly kept passing it by. The subject matter and the writing style is something that doesn't interest me. I can see why the book was awarded, but a book that was meant to interested 13 year old boys couldn't keep my attention. I wasn't sure where the plot was going, which character was which, or whether it was worth it to get to the end. The writing wasn't to the point where I couldn't finish the book, I just didn't have the time. But now that the obligation is gone, I doubt I'll ever have the motivation to finish it.
kmsaunders's review against another edition
3.0
This would be a good choice for a younger reader interested in Vietnam or war in general. Also does a nice job commenting on how soldiers of color experienced the war.
wordyanchorite's review against another edition
4.0
Just-unvarnished-enough look at Vietnam, and the US, and humans, through the eyes of American boys.
mnhockeymomreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is not usually my genre, but my students loved this book. He is a gifted author. Great book for boys!!!
gelabray's review against another edition
5.0
Completely out of my genre, but so glad I read it. It is a great recommendation for middle school boys who 'don't like to read' but like war.