Off to War

Deborah Ellis has been widely praised for her books about children in war-torn countries. Now, she turns her attention closer to home, to American and Canadian children whose parents are soldiers fighting — or who have fought — in Afghanistan and Iraq. In frank and illuminating interviews, they talk about how this experience has marked and shaped their lives. Twelve-year-old Darby finds comfort in sending everyday items like Twizzlers and wet wipes to a dad whose life doesn’t include simple pleasures or a daily bath. Now that 10-year-old Mary’s father is home, he sits alone in his bedroom with his computer instead of hanging out with the family like he used to do. Interviewed on military bases, in the streets, in their homes, and over the phone, the children speak with remarkable candor about how war has touched their daily lives, reminding readers that although they may be living safely in North America, children always suffer when nations go to war.