Jacqueline Levering Sullivan

A good historical novel for middle schoolers, set in 1950. Fourteen year old Annie lives in Tacoma with her parents, and they are all learning to adjust to having her father home from World War II. As a blind veteran, he mopes about the house, resentful that he can't be as independent as he used to be (although he has started a carpentry business with his brother, a fellow vet), and refusing an offer to get a guide dog. Annie befriends new students Johannes and Elisabeth, Dutch refugee siblings who have their own sorrows and war experiences that affect their outlook and give Annie new perspective on the war. She's also beginning to have a little crush on Johannes perhaps. Annie wants nothing more than to have everything at home be "perfect" and the way it was before the war, of course, which can't happen. Her parents' relationship also seems to be in jeopardy, with a subplot about a misunderstood possible affair taking up a lot of Annie's mental anguish. But through perseverance and patience, she's learning to be okay with the way things are now, as her father eventually realizes he can accept help from veterans organizations and still be proud and independent. I thought the main character was portrayed as a little young for 14, but then again it's more of an innocent age so perhaps it was just right. Nice slice-of-life novel, an old-fashioned family drama.… (más)

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.

Jacqueline Levering Sullivan's _A Less than Perfect Peace_ provides a compelling account of the hidden costs of war--specifically in the life of young Annie Howard. The coming of age novel illustrates Annie's attempt to understand the changes brought into her life by World War II. A sequel to _Annie's War_ (which I have not read), the novel finds Annie facing a new life in Tacoma, Washington with a blind father, a working mother, her war-scarred uncle, and the friendship of handsome Johannes--a new classmate from Holland. Johannes and his twin sister face lingering problems outside of Annie's comprehension (Johannes, specifically, having grown up of necessity too quickly) due to the recent war. During the course of the novel, Annie learns that not all is as it seems on the surface.

_A Less than Perfect Peace_ has an easy writing style that would keep middle-grade children interested and entertained. The author's background as a writing professor shines in her adaptive dialog and descriptive style. Sullivan teaches an important life lesson in judging and facing hardships without becoming heavy-handed. An enjoyable read for teachers, parents, and children alike.… (más)

I enjoyed this read. Based on the cover, I was a little afraid it would be too intermediate for my 9th grade students, but I think a lot of my students would enjoy the story-line. It focuses on an important topic that many stories don't touch on as much at this age level when it comes to historical-fiction novels: How do people cope after a war? Annie's boyfriend, is an immigrant who's childhood was ruined based on what he witnessed and had to do to survive his war torn country before coming to the United States. Annie's father and uncle both fought in World War II and her father's eyesight was compromised due to his experience overseas. Annie's ultimate goal is to make everyone happy/better than they currently are, but it's a tall order. A great leisure read for anyone who enjoys historical-fiction.… (más)