Under a War-Torn Sky

Under a War-Torn Sky

4.6 55
by L.M. Elliott, Laura Malone Elliott
     
 

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When Henry Forester is shot down during a bombing run over France,the World War II pilot finds himself trapped behind enemy lines. In constant danger of discovery by German soldiers, Henry begins a remarkable journey to freedom. Relying on the kindness of strangers, Henry moves from town to town--traveling by moonlight, never asking questions, or even the names of… See more details below

Overview


When Henry Forester is shot down during a bombing run over France,the World War II pilot finds himself trapped behind enemy lines. In constant danger of discovery by German soldiers, Henry begins a remarkable journey to freedom. Relying on the kindness of strangers, Henry moves from town to town--traveling by moonlight, never asking questions, or even the names of the people who help him along the way. Each day brings him closer to home, yet every step in enemy territory invites new dangers.

Even as Henry fights for his own life, he quickly grows to realize the peril that surrounds all of the French people, and to admire the courage of the freedom fighters who risk death to protect him. Suspenseful and achingly true, this critically-acclaimed and deeply beloved novel explores the heartbreak of war, the strength of human spirit, and one young man's struggle to protect the things he loves

Editorial Reviews

Connie Fletcher
"It's packed with action, intrigue, and suspense, but this novel celebrates acts of kindness and heroism without glorifying war. American Henry Forester, a young flier with the RAF during World War II, is a complex mix of insecurities, unresolved feelings about his punitive father and heroic aspiration. On his thirteenth bombing mission, he is shot down, having no idea where he has landed. His journey back through Nazi-occupied Europe and his involvement with members of the French Resistance are depicted with chilling realism. Small details (bike wheels in France were made of wood because the Germans had confiscated all the rubber) add both credibility and appeal to this gripping adventure, inspired by stories told to the author by her father. An afterword concerns the resistance movement."
—Booklist
KLIATT
This first novel by L.M. Elliot is an emotional, action-packed gem! Henry Forester is a 19-year-old farm boy far from home. He's a pilot in an American Air Force squadron in Europe fighting the Nazis during WW II. After his plane is shot down during a mission, Henry is alone and terrified in a dangerous land. He manages to meet up with some members of the French Resistance who bravely and cleverly smuggle him across borders and towards freedom. Along the way he encounters many different people, each one touching his life in an important way. Henry grows from a naïve boy to a strong man with a survivor's instincts, experiencing the true complexity of the human spirit. Elliot paints a picture of war that we don't often see, one that is away from the battles, showing life and death in a war-ravaged land. She illustrates through her well-planned story lines how one can prevail through the most adverse of conditions, bringing up many ethical and moral questions. This novel would be an excellent addition to a unit on WW II. It would also make a good choice for literature circles or large group discussions. It engages the reader quickly and takes him or her on an engrossing thrill-ride. KLIATT Codes: JS*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2002, Hyperion, 284p., Ages 12 to 18.
—Erin Lukens Darr
Children's Literature
At age nineteen, Henry Forester is the youngest pilot in his B-24 bomber squadron. Henry and his fellow crew members are sent on a series of dangerous bombing missions over France and Germany. On one such mission Henry's bomber is shot out of the sky. Faced with the frightening reality of being downed behind enemy lines, Henry makes his way toward freedom with the assistance of the French underground. Wounded, hungry, lost and afraid, Henry sees the effects war has on the human spirit. The people who both help and hunt him show themselves to be anything but cardboard cutout characters. Henry experiences relationships with protectors whom he comes to cherish and others who repel him. War, in Henry's eyes, brings out both the worst and the best in people. Through Henry's perspective, we see the physically and spiritually war-torn landscape of World War II Europe. Told as a fictional rendering of the experiences of the author's father, this is a powerful debut novel. Readers should be prepared for realistic scenes portraying the violence of war; but is that not preferable to sugar coating mankind's most destructive actions? Plotted in a fast-paced manner, this is a believable story of adventure and salvation. Readers, young and old, will be touched and moved by this fine book. 2001, Hyperion, $15.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-In 1944, 19-year-old Hank is an American pilot flying his 15th bombing mission when his plane is shot down over Alsace, near the Swiss border. Locals assist him in getting to neutral territory. There, a Red Cross doctor advises him to attempt an escape from Europe across France with the help of the French Resistance. Hank's many adventures as he makes his way toward home and freedom comprise the rest of the story. This is a gritty, unblinking look at the horrors that the Nazis visited upon France during the occupation. Hank is a smart, strong, and courageous character who survives under the worst of conditions. He becomes closely acquainted with death as he sees men killed and learns that he, too, must kill in order to survive. As likable as he is, Hank is almost too good to be true. But the real heroes of the story are the French civilians who help Hank and many Allied soldiers like him to escape from the Nazis. There is a fair amount of French mixed into the telling of these stories. While this does lend authenticity, it may prove daunting to readers unfamiliar with the language. The ending seems rather romanticized, but the author's afterword explains that the story is based on some of her own father's experiences. Readers with an interest in warfare and adventure will find a sure winner here. Pair this novel with Don Wulffson's Soldier X (Viking, 2001) for a comparison with life as a young German soldier.-Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:
9780786817535
Publisher:
Disney-Hyperion
Publication date:
04/28/2003
Edition description:
Reprint
Pages:
288
Sales rank:
103,146
Product dimensions:
5.25(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.75(d)
Age Range:
10 - 14 Years

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