Massey, David. Torn.

Massey, David.  Torn.   Scholastic/Chicken House  2013  274p  ISBN 978-0-545-49645-2  hs    Hardback  VG-BN   Realistic fiction

When Elinor, a 19-year old British medic, arrives at a British-run outpost in Afghanistan, she is sure she can be a factor in winning the hearts and minds of locals.  But her expectations run into the harsh facts of reality.  Sent on an easy mission, she watches as chaos ensues.  As young children are shooting at her group, she sees a young Afghani girl in a blue dress and tries to save her from becoming a victim of the shooting.  Is the girl a mirage that offers a hint of death, or is she a real person?  After the capture of one of the young child fighters, Elinor realizes that war is indeed messy.  What motivates the actions of the American army, local security forces, and coalition commanders becomes complicated when American Special Forces with their own agenda arrive to lead a mission requiring British support.  Constant heart-pounding action mixed with genuine compassion will keep all readers gripped until the end.  This book does not shy away from the brutality of war and its effects on individuals.  Even a modest love interest surfaces in the last few chapters, but is not a primary factor in the plot, regardless of what the teaser on the front cover suggests.  This book offers a unique female perspective of front-line war action and a perfect book-club selection for high-school students.  Many issues can be hotly discussed and debated.  This is a fantastic debut novel by a gifted writer, strongly recommended for high-school readers who wonder what females endure on the front lines of battle.  

Summary: Told from the viewpoint of a young British female medic on the front lines, this book on the Afghan War shows the complexity of the war and its effects on local citizens, especially children. The motives and actions of all armed forces involved are suspect. Gr. 8-12.    

Afghan War-Fiction, War-time medics-Fiction                       --Lois McNicol