Hartnett,
Sonya The Silver Donkey, 266 pgs.
Candlewick Press, 2014. $16.99. Language: G;
Mature Content: PG (talk of war); Violence: G
In a
small village in France during the Great War, two sisters find a soldier who
has deserted hiding in the woods near their home. He has been blinded in battle
and is now desperately seeking a way home. Marcelle and Coco agree to assist the
soldier by keeping his presence a secret and smuggle him food and other
essentials until they can figure out how to get him safely across the water. As
their friendship grows, the soldier introduces them to his good luck charm; a
tiny silver donkey that he keeps close to his heart. While the sisters do their
best to formulate a plan to help, the soldier captivates them with stories of
courage, strength, and loyalty all connected to the silver donkey.
World
War I is often overlooked as a subject for historical fiction, so it is
pleasant to find a book meant for young readers about this time period. The
story is charming and interweaves the reality of war with lessons about
courage, loyalty, and strength using the donkey as the symbol for these desired
qualities. Aimed at a young audience it is understandable that the themes of
war and loss are oversimplified, but sometimes that can lead to the story
becoming too fantastical. The illustrations are lovely and add to the overall
book.
EL, MS—ADVISIBLE.
AEB
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