Shooting the Moon

By Frances O'Roark Dowell

Era: 1960's/Vietnam War

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Jamie is an army brat. Along with her older brother TJ, she has spent her life moving to different army bases but absolutely loving everything about the military. Then when her brother turns 18, he decides to enlist and go to Vietnam in the Medical Corps. Jamie is fit to burst with pride and envy. But she gets confused when her father is less than happy about it. Shouldn't the consummate army man be thrilled? When she starts her summer volunteer job at the rec center, Jamie is even more confused by the fears and memories of the soldiers who come there to hang out. Then her brother sends letters home to his parents, but to Jamie he sends rolls of film to develop, pictures that tell the dark side of the story of war. The story that he and Jamie never knew or imagined. A story that will change Jamie's life. This is a quick-paced read about how what we imagine and what we experience can be completely different things.