Truce by Jim Murphy

Murphy, Jim Truce: the Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting. 128p.  Scholastic Press, 2009. $19.99.  Violence: PG (war situations), Language: PG (little mild swearing). This book tells the story of how German and British troops refused to fight on Christmas Day during World War I.  Murphy provide the reader with sufficient background knowledge so as to understand the events leading up to World War I and the battles between the Germans and English soldiers preceding their Christmas Day truce.  The book then goes on to inform readers about how superior officers responded to the news of the truce and how the War reconvened.  Murphy's writing is detailed, yet it does not get too bogged down in providing too much information for readers.  I always enjoy Murphy's books, and this one is as good as any (if not better).  The book allows for discussions about what happens in war if we see the "enemy" as real people.  EL, MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher.