| A Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Harry Mazer |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Young adult, Adventure, Historical novel |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing |
| Publication date | April 3, 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 104 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0689841613 |
| OCLC Number | 45248206 |
| Followed by | A Boy No More |
A Boy at War is a historical novel by Harry Mazer targeted at young adult audiences based on the events of the attack on Pearl Harbor that intitiated the United States' involvement in World War II. The book follows Adam Pelko, the son of a navy commander stationed at Pearl Harbor, during the Japanese attack of December 7, 1941.
Contents |
In the beginning, Adam has to move to Honolulu because his Father is relocated to Pearl Harbor as a military officer. It is really hard just like any kid moving and having to go to a different high school, but it is especially hard for Adam. I say this because in the book it mentions how people at Honolulu High School hate military kids. The book never really explained why. But Adam did manage to make two friends. Their names are Davi Mori and Martin Kahahawai. Davi is a Japanese American while Martin is a Hawaiian. One day the boys decide to go fishing early in the morning. As they are fishing, they find a rowboat and decide to take it out into Pearl Harbor. As they are fishing, they hear airplanes flying overhead. They are all cheering because they think they are American planes. However, they turn out to be Japanese airplanes. They then see the bombers bomb the naval ships and the base itself. While the first bombs are dropped a piece of wood flies into Martin’s heart. He is wounded but doesn’t die. Adam, thinking that Davi is a spy for the Japanese, jumps out of the paddle boat and swims to the docks. Adam is then handed a rifle and starts to help shoot down the Japanese bombers and kamikazes. Once the Japanese leave the harbor in the morning Adam runs home with his rifle and makes sure his Mom and sister, Bea are okay. They let Adam in the house and he tells them what happened. And that he doesn’t know if his Dad, Lt. Emory Pelko, is dead or alive. About a week after Adam arrives back home, the family gets a telegram saying the Lt. Emory Pelko is missing. So the family then moves back to the mainland of America.
Son of Lt. Emory Pelko. A high school student who is new to Honolulu.
Davi is Adam's friend, a Japanese-American boy, and the smart kid in Adam's class.
Martin is Hawaiian, and he is wounded with a stick through his heart during the attack. He nearly dies, but he recovers.
Lt. Emory Pelko, (Adam's father), is a United States Navy officer. He is very strict and careful about his and his son's actions and forbides him to talk with Davi. He is stationed on the naval ship, USS Arizona, which was later bombed by the Japanese. He Dies, Adam and family move back to America's home land, Bakersville
Adam's mother.
Adam's younger sister.