Woodford Brave

Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Long Creek Center, South Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 10, 2016

Review

Life on the home front is never easy for military service families. Cory Woodford is dealing the best he can by emulating his brave father and grandfather. During the summer of 1943 Cory is faced with situations that are new and challenging. He must cope with the fear of losing his best friend to the neighborhood bully while his understanding of gender roles undergoes fire. All these struggles fit into a background where Cory believes that all Germans are bad and those in America must be spies.

Woodford Brave is well written and fantastically illustrated. Modern readers will enjoy learning about the everyday life of four children on summer vacation in the 40’s even as they wonder how the kids managed without technology. Children with parents or relatives currently stationed in a combat zone will identify with the fear Cory is experiencing. Add to public libraries and to intermediate school media centers.

Overall Book Score: very good