War

The novel is set in 1942-43, during World War II. Although the war is in another country, hundreds of miles from Devon, the students there find themselves living with the war hanging over their head. The age of enlistment has been lowered to seventeen, which means most of the boys in Gene's class can enlist in the military before they have graduated.

The novel begins in what appears to be a carefree summer. However, the narrator tells the reader almost immediately that this is the first summer session at this school. This is because the school is attempting to prepare their older students before they reach the age of enlistment. It does not appear that the war is that big of a deal to the students, but the war continues to intrude into their little world.

Military recruiters begin coming to Devon, showing films designed to inspire students...