Spillebeen, Geert. Age 14.

Spillebeen, Geert. Age 14.
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2009 216p 16.00
978-0-547-05342-4 ms/hs
Patrick Condon dreams of entering the army and escaping his poor life in Ballybricken, Ireland. Then the opportunity presents itself for Patrick to join the army but he is not old enough to join yet. That is when he takes his brother’s name and age and follows his dream of a military life. Patrick Condon dreams of entering the army and escaping his poor life in Ballybricken, Ireland. A boy is too tall and looks so much older than his age implies, has always dreamed of joining the army. He is so ready but Patrick is only 12 years old. In this village he will never be able to do much. Everyone knows who he is and they know his family. Then the opportunity presents itself for Patrick to join the army in another town. That is when he takes his brothers name, John and follows his dream of a military life. He trains for the military and discovers that this is his dream job. When the War of 1914 breakout in Europe, John returns home and joins in with his home group. The officers suspect that his age is not what he says it is but they need every man they can get. Then John and his friends are deployed to France to fight the Germans and there they all discover what war is really like for all who must fight in them. John’s dream was realized but his life was cut short, he had just turned 14 years. A historical fiction story based on a true story. Very well written and will be of interest to all boys. Diaz, Magna