3.5 stars. An good, simply-written real-life type adventure novel for upper elementary or middle school ages. ( )

Great book. Particularly loved the LOTR references! Awesome! ( )

This is a powerful story about growing up in a violent and conflicted country. I enjoyed Perkins clear but deep and meaningful writing. Curricular connections - history, geography, minority issues ( )

Narrated by Jonathan Davis. The Burmese conflict between the government and Burma's ethnic minorities is viewed from opposite sides and in two parts via Chiko, a child soldier for the Burmese, and Tu Reh, a Karenni teen living in a refugee camp in Thailand. The portrayal of the two sides is more nuanced than black and white; Chiko has been raised with the importance of education, while Tu Reh's father expects him to be thoughtful rather than reactive. So when the boys enter each other's orbits, there are complexities of war, violence, and the nature of enemies (and friends) for each to consider. While I don't know what a Burmese accent sounds like, narrator Davies doesn't appear to attempt trying one, instead taking a light, seemingly pan-Asian approach. His voice draws us into the story and he's most effective portraying the steely intimidating Captain. There are graphic realities presented: amputations, land mines, and wartime abuse. ( )

Thought provoking and engaging.