War Is Over by David Almond, David Litchfield
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536209864
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
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So well written and illustrated, War is Over is bound to be a new classic.  The story takes place during WWI in an English town where the women work in a munitions factory while the men are off fighting the war.    John is a sensitive boy who questions the situation attempting to find an answer to his one question: when will the war end?  Almond had provided readers with a text full of historic information, personal struggle and the seeds of peace.  Readers may begin to question the validity of conflict, blind obedience to negative instruction and the beliefs of conscience objectors.

Litchfield’s illustrations are mostly done in gray scale, adding another layer of sadness to the text.  It is so difficult to think of children playing in a war environment, yet leaves that turn to birds that turn to bombs helps to illuminate the text.

John has an out of body experience where he meets with a young boy living in Germany.  The richness of this interaction adds to the deep compassion and desire for peace that this book provides to readers.   While this may not be the perfect book for all students it belongs in the media center of all intermediate and middle schools.   In addition it is a necessary purchase for all public libraries.