Product Description

PALOUSE, WASHINGTON
1943

Please god, let us win this lousy war soon

World War II has changed life for everyone in the little farming town of Palouse, Washington. Josie Poe spends long nights afraid that bombs could begin to fall at any moment. Her days are consumed with trying to find ways to help the war effort. Like most American kids, she is growing a Victory Garden, wearing clothes that are two or three years old, and saving up money to buy war stamps and bonds. But the harder she works to help the war effort, the more Josie Poe is ashamed of her older brother.

Tom hasn't enlisted in the armed services, even though all his good friends have. Everyone in town has a loved one fighting in Europe or the Pacific -- none of the other young men were cowardly about their duty. When a robbery seems to involve Tom, Josie has to find out the truth about her brother. What she learns -- and what she does -- will change her relationship with him forever.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5405362 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-An interesting addition to stories about World War II on the homefront. Josie, 13, is fearful as she watches newsreels and hears planes overhead. She is excited as she and her best friend plan their own project to support the war effort, and she is ashamed and embarrassed that her older brother Tom has not enlisted like all the other young men in town. A strange robbery on the family farm and even stranger behavior on the part of Tom create additional drama and suspense as Josie tries to solve the mystery. While the resolution of the plot seems somewhat quick and tidy, learning that Tom is dealing with his own emotional reactions to his 4F status provides new insights into an aspect of wartime and patriotism that has not been explored to any extent in historical fiction for children. Duey has created real and sympathetic characters who come to new understandings, as will her readers.
Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A great book
Josie Poe lives during World War Two in a town called Palouse, Washington. She lives with her Mama, her Daddy, and her brother Tom. Everyone in town has a loved one fighting over in the Pacific or in Europe. Except the Poe family. So Josie is ashamed of her brother.Tom was acting really weird lately, so Josie wants to think of a good project for the war effort. Then, a robbery happens that involves Tom. Josie has to find out the truth about her older brother. But will the truth change her relationship with him forever? Find out and read this book!

Great
I think this was a good book. I love historical fiction books and the American Diarie series is my fav. Josie is a cool character and her brother seems sweet. If you like fiction books about WW2 or the American Diaries you'll love this book.

Small town World War II story with a little mystery.
This was an enjoyable story set in a small farming town in Washington during World War II. There was a bit of a mystery, but not much action. This is more of a family/friendship story with a historical setting. It was a very good book, although less based in action then some of the other American Diaries.