This novel can be suitably used as an anti-war novel. It clearly portrays the horrors of war and the development of young adolescents who are far away from the war front but then have to come to terms with its effects on their safe environment. It is similar to the situation of the United States when war took its sons away to fight in battles thousands of miles away from their homes. The people left behind were aware of the horrors of war, but many children were waiting for their fathers to come home as heroes. Many such fathers were lost, while other children had to deal with their fathers' experiences upon their return home.

This novel can be used in conjunction, for example, with a discussion of the Vietnam or Korean War, or even the War in the Gulf.

In addition, it can be used...