Awards and Honors2009 Notable Books for a Global Society; Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of 2008 | 2008 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Children’s Fiction | 2008 School Library JournalBest Books, Fiction; NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2009, Geography/People/Places
Robin Perry of Harlem, New York, has enlisted and been shipped off to Iraq. There, he and his Civil Affairs unit undertake a series of missions that lead to some baffling interactions with Iraqis. They help arrest an old man who Robin thinks may be innocent; they search the house of a seemingly harmless family and find bomb detonators hidden in the kitchen. Increasingly unsure of who is a friend and who is an enemy, Robin and his fellow soldiers are suddenly sent on their most dangerous mission: to rescue three kidnapped Iraqi children. Glossary.
Filled with stimulating nonfiction and can't-put-it-down fiction, this category is perfect for bridging the gap between young adult and adult reading. Take note: these 14 selections often contain mature situations and language that could be considered controversial.