Fallen Angels

Gritty. Real. Explicit. Heartrendingly Sad. Terrifying. War.

Richie Perry, a 17 year old Harlem graduate, can't afford college nor has any good job prospects - so he enlists in the Army hearing that the war in Vietnam is ending soon. Although his relationship with his Mom is not good, Perry hates to leave his kid brother. When he arrives in Nam he soon joins a ragtag group of young men, most under the age of 20. At first the heat, bugs, and the monotony set in, then as the skirmishes and deployment begin, things get hot and heavy. Casualties mount, including those in his squad - good men who were in the wrong place, wrong time. Troops hurt and maim, by accident, other squads. Fear is a constant, heavy companion and Perry questions the war and himself. Overriding it all is the question - will he and his buddies make it back to the "world?"


Myers lays Perry thoughts and fears down so easily that it's hard to read without wincing. You can't put down the book, but the pain, confusion, and terror is right there in your face. I had to come up for air every once in awhile and think on the words I just read.....

It is said that in war, no one wins...

On the list of banned books due to "vulgar language, sexual explicitness, or violent imagery that is gratuitously employed."

Promises to Keep

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's the 1960s, the middle of the Cold War and eleven year old Roz's world has been turned upside down. Her mom has left her dad, taking Wally, her teenage brother, baby sister Valerie and Roz to a small town in Illinois, where her Grandpa lives. Even though her father had abused her mother, Roz still wants them back together. When she makes a new friend named Mara, who misses her own father, both plot to get their dads back. The stabilizing force in the middle of all this chaos is wise, old Tillie Monroe, who helped build the house that Roz and her family now occupy, and decides to move right back in and take over.



This is one of the best books I've read, and as a child of the 60's I can relate to so many of the external events. Definitely a feel good book told from the eyes of an eleven year child with wonderful, interesting, lovable characters like Tillie.



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Candy Bomber

Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot" by Michael O. Tunnell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Who doesn't want to read about a real life hero? Candy Bomber is the wonderful true story about the life of Lt. Gail Halvorsen, a young pilot in the U.S. Air Force and the candy drops he made over the city of Berlin. Although World War II was over Lt. Halvorsen had seen firsthand, from a visit to Berlin how the children were suffering, so he promised the children he would drop candy and chewing gum from his airplane. They would know it was him because he would wiggle the plane's wings. The first secret drop was only three small handkerchiefs of candy from Halvorsen and his buddies. Several more drops were made before the mission became known and named "Operation Little Vittles" and actual small parachutes were used instead of hankies. The Air Force ordered Lt. Halvorsen to continue with the drops and supported his efforts. It became so popular that candy companies began making donations. The book contains great photos of Lt. Halvorsen, the children in Berlin, copies of their letters, and a anniversary event of the candy drops.



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