The Wall

This is a beautiful book to read to children as I was crying through a bit of it it was difficult to get through the first time but very important for children to hear about. I read this to my five year old while we were learning about Veterans Day.

Over a quarter of a century has passed since the U.S. involvement in Vietnam came to an end, yet the effects of that conflict are still etched throughout the fabric of our modern day society. But another generation has been born in the time since the fighting ended. Many have never heard of Vietnam let alone the fighting that went on there. How does one introduce a child to a subject that is still as electrified as the Vietnam War? Perhaps by reading THE WALL with them.THE WALL is simply a story about a young man who takes his son to the Vietnam War Memorial to find the name of his dad. The young boy's grandfather died in the conflict and at the end of the book the reader knows the boy's head is full of questions. The story doesn't answer these questions, but allows children to verbalize these questions themselves: Why are there flags all around here? Why did that teacher say the Wall belongs to all of us? Why does that soldier not have any legs? The story can also be used as in introduction for not only the Vietnam War, but to also talking about war in general. The illustrations and the story are molded together perfectly into one beautiful harmony. Sometimes kids will be anxious during a story, but when reading this story most kids will remain completely still, taking in the simple, yet profound story. This is a great book to read to children not just during Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, or Independence Day, but at any time during the year.

This book touched my heart. It is very moving and really captures the story in a way children can understand. One of the best children's books I've ever read, and the only one I've ever seen about the subject of the Wall or veterens. It is a lovely tribute.

Eve Bunting has done an outstanding job of capturing the readers emotions regarding the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I could feel for the father and the others that toured the exhibit and found myself crying as I read it to a faculty. A teacher who was a former vet, was so touched, he read it and found himself reliving experiences. Beautiful - brings out the sorrows of war, which we haven't experienced as much of since that time. I recommend this book for anyone - vet or not. Eve Bunting has done an excellent job bringing reality and hearbreak to the book as well as a sense of respect for those who fought there.

Eve Bunting masterfully captures a somber, quiet visit to "The Wall" from a young boy's perspective. With deceptively simple language, Bunting paints a cold barren day, as father and son go to visit "grandfather's wall." The boy's youthful curiosity is carefully balanced against his dad's sobering pilgrimage.For many years, this has been my read-aloud of choice for primary grade classes in our school library just prior to Veteran's Day. The children always sit in thoughful stillness, often asking insightful questions about the wall, the war, the wheelchair-bound soldier without any legs in the story, or the grandma and grandpa aged couple tearfully hugging each other.Not all stories that children hear need to be happy, silly or simply for entertainment. Sadness, loss of a loved one, and unfortunately war, are a part of reality. This exceptional short story is a slice of life that can be meaningfully shared with children, to explore the emotions surrounding this part of reality.

The Vietnam Memorial as seen through the eyes of a child. No one I knew fought in Vietnam--until I was married. My husband was born while his father was recovering from wounds in a Red Cross Hospital in Vietnam. Until reading this book, it never occurred to me that it could have been my own father-in-law's name on the Wall (beside many of his friends) and that it could have been my children standing there confused, looking for the name of the Grandfather they never knew. What a powerfully moving experience. This book should be shared with both children and adults.