Synopses & Reviews
andlt;bandgt;A soldier returns home from Iraq forever changed in this poignant and pivotal novel from award-winning authorsand#8211;one a veteran.andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Ben lives a charmed lifeand#8212;effortlessly landing the lead in the high school musical, dating the prettiest girl in school. When he decides to enlist in the army, no one thinks heand#8217;ll be in real danger. But his decision has devastating consequences: His convoy gets caught in an explosion, and Ben ends up in a coma for two months. When he wakes up, he doesnand#8217;t know where he isand#8212;or remember anything about his old life. His family and friends mourn what they see as a loss, but Ben perseveres. And as he triumphs, readers will relate to this timely novel that pairs the action and adventure of the best war stories with the emotional elements of struggle and transformation.
Review
"Provides a moving portrait of a young soldierand#8217;s sacrifice and struggle. With realistic dialogue, relatable characters, and subject matter relevant to teens, this book is a worthwhile addition to library collections."--andlt;Iandgt;VOYAandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt; andlt;/bandgt;
Review
andlt;Bandgt;* andlt;/Bandgt;"The tight focus on one soldier does not oversimplify but rather captures the human drama in the personal...The book's power is in the honesty and hope conveyed. As illuminating as a hand grenade, and just as powerful."--andlt;Iandgt;Kirkus Reviewsandlt;/Iandgt;, starred review
Review
"Mazer and Lerangis
Review
"An easy read about a difficult and important subject, with realistic characters whose depth is implied more than explained. Although the reader may despair at the tragic turn of a young man so full of promise, the ending offers a glimpse of light at the end of what will be a long, dark tunnel."--andlt;iandgt;Booklistandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"This is one of the best books I have read recently...the story of struggle, recovery, and relationships; of love, perseverance, and overcoming astronomical odds."andlt;bandgt;--andlt;/bandgt;andlt;iandgt;Library Media Connectionandlt;/iandgt;
Review
andlt;Bandgt;"andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Amandlt;/Iandgt; tells a bold war story without being overtly political or taking sides; as such itand#8217;s a great choice for discussion groups. Itand#8217;s also an exciting, intelligent, fast-paced read that should appeal to both avid and reluctant readers, providing gripping action and food for thought."--andlt;iandgt;BookPageandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"Its accessibility and directness may help readers understand how many things arenand#8217;t over just because a war ends."--andlt;iandgt;Bulletin of the Center for Children's Booksandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"Has the power of prose distilled into its purest essence. An easy-to-read war novel that respects its readers and challenges them to understand the true consequences of war."--andlt;iandgt;The Horn Bookandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"Mazer and Lerangis
Review
"Mazer and Lerangis
Review
"Mazer and Lerangis
Review
"Mazer and Lerangis use strong characters and storytelling to explore the slow and painful recovery of an injured teenage soldier...the journey is powerful and worthwhile."--andlt;iandgt;Publishers Weeklyandlt;/iandgt;
Synopsis
A soldier returns home from Iraq forever changed in this poignant and pivotal novel from award-winning authors-one a veteran.
Ben lives a charmed life--effortlessly landing the lead in the high school musical, dating the prettiest girl in school. When he decides to enlist in the army, no one thinks he'll be in real danger. But his decision has devastating consequences: His convoy gets caught in an explosion, and Ben ends up in a coma for two months. When he wakes up, he doesn't know where he is--or remember anything about his old life. His family and friends mourn what they see as a loss, but Ben perseveres. And as he triumphs, readers will relate to this timely novel that pairs the action and adventure of the best war stories with the emotional elements of struggle and transformation.
Synopsis
Ben has always had it pretty easy--with no acting experience, he landed the lead in his high school musical, and he's dating the prettiest girl in school. Haunted by memories of 9/11, he makes the decision to enlist in the army--with devastating consequences. Somehow nobody ever thought Ben would be one of the soldiers affected, but after his convoy gets caught in an explosion, Ben is in a coma for two months. When he wakes up, he doesn't know where he is, and he doesn't remember anything about his old life. His family and friends mourn what they see as a loss, but Ben perseveres. Although he will never be the person he once was, this is the story of his struggle and transformation.
About the Author
andlt;Bandgt;Harry Mazerandlt;/Bandgt; is the author of many books for young readers, including andlt;i andgt;Please, Somebody Tell Me Who I Amandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;i andgt;My Brother Abeandlt;/iandgt;; the Boy at War trilogy; andlt;i andgt;The Wild Kidandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;i andgt;The Dog in the Freezerandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;i andgt;The Island Keeperandlt;/iandgt;; and andlt;i andgt;Snow Boundandlt;/iandgt;. His books have won numerous honors, including a andlt;iandgt;Horn Bookandlt;/iandgt; honor and an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults citation. Along with his wife, Norma Fox Mazer, Harry received an ALAN award in 2003 for outstanding contribution to adolescent literature. He lives in Montpelier, Vermont.Peter Lerangisandlt;Bandgt; andlt;/Bandgt;is the author of many books for young readers, including andlt;iandgt;wtfandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Smilerand#8217;s Bonesandlt;/iandgt;, the Watchers series, andlt;iandgt;The Sword Thiefandlt;/iandgt;, and the andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestselling 39 Clues series. Peter lives with his wife and two sons in New York City. Visit him at PeterLerangis.com.