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War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace

Review by: Chris Singer

About the author:

Rich Wallace is the author of many award-winning books for children and teenagers, including Wrestling Sturbridge, Sports Camp, Perpetual Check, and the “Kickers” and “Winning Season” series. He lives with his wife, novelist Sandra Neil Wallace, in Keene, NH.  A note from Rich:  ”Bloggers might like to know that, like Brody in War & Watermelon, I was 12 years old in 1969 and living in suburban New Jersey, just becoming aware of the war and the music and the other world-changing events of that summer. I also had an older brother who was eligible for the draft, which caused considerable concern in our household and informed the events of this novel.” Learn more about Rich and his books on his website, www.richwallacebooks.com.

About the book:

It’s the summer of 1969. We’ve just landed on the moon, the Vietnam War is heating up, the Mets are beginning their famous World Series run, and Woodstock is rocking upstate New York. Down in New Jersey, twelve-year-old Brody is mostly concerned with the top ten hits on the radio and how much playing time he’ll get on the football team. But when he goes along for the ride to Woodstock with his older brother and sees the mass of humanity there, he starts to wake up to the world around him-a world that could take away the brother he loves.

My take on the book:

I was really intrigued by the description of this book when I was offered an opportunity to read and review it.

I wasn’t disappointed either. War and Watermelon is a quick read and I read it over the course of a day and found it hard to put down.

Although War and Watermelon is recommended for ages 9-12 years, I thought it was definitely more of a young adult novel. There are some pretty heavy duty issues addressed in this novel, mainly focused around whether Brody’s older brother Ryan will enroll in college before he gets drafted to go to war in Vietnam. I didn’t have an issue personally with any of the subject matter in the book (the “activities” at Woodstock i.e. drinking beer, smoking pot and language). I just think it’s a book more suited for young adult readers ages 12 and above.

All in all, this book makes an excellent summer read. I think librarians and teachers would be interested in adding this to their classrooms as well. Wallace does an excellent job of bringing the political turmoil of the late 60s to life for readers, even if it is through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy. Don’t worry though, the book isn’t just centered around the topic of the Vietnam War. There’s a few laughs in here, as well as some football (Brody has made the local team as a running back/linebacker). I’d have no problem recommending this book to a male teen reader in your life.