Love You, Soldier - Review

Hest, Amy. Love You, Soldier. New York, NY: Four Winds Press, 1991.

This story focuses on the numerous changes that happen within two Jewish families in New York City during World War II. Told from a small girl's perspective, this brief chapter book is quite a touching look into the life of Katie from seven to ten years old.

Katie's father goes to fight in the war while Katie and her mother continue on in the most normal way possible for them. They read and re-read all of her father's letters in an effort to keep him present in their lives. Katie's mother works extra hours at the local hospital and continuously knits items for the soldiers abroad. A pregnant family friend comes to live with Katie and her mother because her husband is away at war also. Katie ends up helping Louise, the family friend, get to the hospital and give birth. Louise's husband comes home, but Katie's father does not and they receive the dreaded telegram.

This book was honored by the Sydney Taylor Award committee because it provides a realistic depiction of Jewish families and neighborhoods in the World War II era. Though Jewish elements are very present in this text, it is not a teaching text. The events and actions described through Katie's eyes occur so casually, that if you were not seeking them out they would not stand out excessively as being Jewish. Some of these experiences included a mourning tradition, Katie learning to cook chicken soup, and about their community being like a family and celebrating the Sabbath together.

The text was well-written and free of negative stereotypes. Being an insider, the author was able to write using her own life experiences and perceptions of her culture. The style of writing from a child's perspective would be easy for any child to pick up, read, comprehend, and make some sort of connection to. Additionally, without the known fact that this story is set in WWII, this book can easily be read as a book about any war. Children experiencing the effects of the wars of today on their families would be able to effortlessly make personal connections to the characters and content. Additionally, Jewish children would be able to look to Katie's character and see a positive role model reflected back to them. For others, this book would provide a solid window base to look through into a Jewish family experience in World War II.