On the Western Front

January 1, 2014

Gr 6 Up-The titles in this bulky series should have been combined, as it is doubtful that students will have the drive or specific World War I knowledge to seek out individual volumes on their own. Combining the books would also have allowed for better narrative flow. For example in Gallipoli, "In the First Battle for Serbia" is followed by a story about a battle in Gallipoli, then Lieutenant Erwin Rommel is waking up in "The Rout at Caporetto," with no transition in between stories. A narrative flow and connection between events would help students better understand this complicated war. Each title begins with two spreads of information about a World War I topic, which is followed by "well-documented" stories of battles, attacks, and more told through a graphic-novel format. Unfortunately, no documentation or further resources are included. Oddly, the illustrations are reminiscent of 1940s war-themed comics, which would be the wrong war. Though printed in color, the faces look more like sketches than carefully drawn images. While the maps, archival photos, and reproductions illustrating the beginning and ending segments are interesting, that alone is not reason enough to purchase these titles. If trying to feed a need for World War I nonfiction, try Jim Murphy's Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting (Scholastic, 2009). In fiction, try Scott Westerfeld's reimagining of World War I in his "Leviathan" series (S & S).-Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA

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