Set in Washington State in 1946, Sullivan's thoughtful first novel is narrated by a feisty 10-year-old. Anna, staying with her grandmother while recuperating from an emergency appendectomy, entertains herself with imaginary visits from President Truman, but her conversations are serious: Annie urges him to find her father, an Army Air Corps pilot declared missing in action, and she complains to him about her 19-year-old Uncle Billy, who has returned from the war surly and hardened. "Something so terrible must have happened in that war that an imposter had come back wearing Billy's skin," she says. After Billy barks racial slurs at Gloria, a black woman to whom Grandma has rented an apartment, Grandma throws him out of her house. Annie struggles with her anguish over her father's disappearance, anger at Billy and confusion about the racism she witnesses, which extends to a cross burning in front of Grandma's house ("The flames climbed higher and higher upwards until they lit up the night sky like some kind of evil Fourth of July prank"). Credible characterization and dialogue help readers absorb the lessons Annie learns from wise Grandma and caring Gloria, that "most folks are basically good people." Ages 8-12. (Sept.)
[Page 61]. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Gr 4–6— At the end of World War II, 10-year-old Annie's father is still missing in action. She refuses to believe that he won't return home, so she periodically has conversations with President Truman about him. (No one can convince her that she isn't just dreaming these talks.) During the summer, she visits her paternal grandmother in Walla Walla, WA, where her 19-year-old uncle, a bitter war veteran, has taken up with the "wrong crowd." His anger and prejudice are set in motion when his mother rents an apartment to a young African-American woman. Annie immediately befriends Gloria Jean, which causes Billy's anger to escalate even more. The tensions build and Annie knows that she alone can change her uncle. Her father is finally found, blind and suffering from amnesia. In the final pages the family is reunited. As Annie narrates her story, she presents the characters from her point of view. Her smart mouth and bratty behavior are tolerated without comment except by Uncle Billy. His adjustment to civilian life after the war is real, but does not explain or justify his prejudice. Gloria Jean, the calm, rational voice for Annie, is a bit too perfect. The story moves smoothly, except at the end. Annie's father's return is anticlimactic and is treated with less importance than the beginning would suggest. Events and characters are wrapped up almost too neatly with the suggestion of happily ever after. Still, fans of the "Dear America" series (Scholastic) will enjoy it.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
[Page 209]. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
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