War & Watermelon (published by Viking Juvenile) by Rich Wallace follows twelve year old Brody during the summer of 1969. Brody has a lot going on: he made the football team, he’s just discovering girls, and he’s worried his older brother will be drafted into the Vietnam War. Somehow in the midst of all of this he even manages to make it to Woodstock for the first night of the infamous concert. At 184 pages War & Watermelon may seem like a light, easy read. However, Wallace packs the storyline with enough exciting escapades and family drama to keep children ages ten and up entertained throughout the book.
One of the many highlights of War & Watermelon is the time period in which it takes place. Readers will enjoy learning about a time that must seem mysterious to the youth of today. The Woodstock scene is wonderful. I so enjoyed viewing Joan Baez singing onstage through the eyes of an awestruck young man on the verge of being a teenager. I think this book would be a wonderful teaching supplement for a unit on the Vietnam War. It would also be a great book for English teachers to assign students. I can think of so many sixties themed projects to go along with the book – tie dying shirts, an oral report on the book in 60s attire, maybe a supplemental report on the 1969 Mets. The list could go on and on. I think this is a particularly good fit for the 7th and 8th grade age group. Teachers need to get this one on their reading lists!
The Vietnam War looms largely in the forefront of the plot as Brody’s brother Ryan and his father disagree repeatedly about the War. I loved the family dynamic in the book. Even though Ryan and his father had heated arguments, it was still obvious that they loved each other. Also, the relationship between Brody and Ryan was really nice as well. As a mom to two boys, it was heartwarming to see brothers in a novel that are close friends in addition to being siblings.
There are so many great things I could say about this book. It is truly special. I think children will love to get a look at what their parents’ or grandparents’ lives were like when they were adolescents and will find that they can relate to much of what Brody went through. It is an excellent summer book that any parent should be happy to have his or her child read.
Many thanks to TLC Book Tours for including me in the War & Watermelon tour. Be sure and visit the other stops on the tour listed below.
Tuesday, June 7th: Café of Dreams Book Review
Wednesday, June 8th: Jenn’s Bookshelves
Thursday, June 9th: Book Reviews by Molly
Monday, June 13th: Savvy Verse and Wit
Tuesday, June 14th: Well Read Wife
Wednesday, June 15th: girlichef
Thursday, June 16th: Shooting Stars Mag
Monday, June 20th: Joyfully Retired
Tuesday, June 21st: 1330V
Wednesday, June 22nd: A Real Librarian
Thursday, June 23rd: There’s a Book
Friday, June 24th: Diary of an Eccentric
Monday, June 27th: The Broke and the Bookish (will also post on Tahleen Reads)
Tuesday, June 28th: Book Dads
Wednesday, June 29th: Knowing the Difference
Thursday, June 30th: My Words Ate Me
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
As a kid I always wanted to hear stories from when my parents were young, so I think you’re right that kids will really be interested in this book.
Thanks for being on the tour! I featured your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
Thanks Heather!:)
It does sound appealing for some reason.
This book sounds right up my alley!