LS 5623 Module 3: SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH by Walter Dean Myers

Myers, Walter Dean. 2008. SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 043991625

“Here it is at last--the novel that will allow American teens to grapple intelligently and thoughtfully with the war in Iraq”- Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“Uncle Richie, I used to be mad at you when you wouldn’t talk about Vietnam. I thought you were being selfish, in a way. Now I understand how light the words seem…are there really enough words to make them understand?” (p. 282)

Feeling helpless after the events of 9-11, Robin Perry enlists in the United States Army and is deployed to Iraq as part of the Civil Affairs Unit. Robin, who is nicknamed “Birdy” by a fellow unit member, is assigned to the First Squad with the mission to “win over the hearts and minds” of the Iraqi people. Throughout his tour of duty within “Operation Iraqi Freedom” Birdy learns the importance of camaraderie and faith but also discovers the hardships and violence that seem to be a necessity of war.

Birdy and his squad reflect very diverse, and at times stereotypical, attitudes and characteristics often used to describe soldiers. Each of the characters offer different views on war and combat and often present the reader with ideas to reflect upon. Birdy himself “serves more as a lens on the war than as a narrator whose voice surprises or compels the reader” (Publisher’s Weekly). Through Birdy’s story, the audience learns firsthand the gamut of emotions a soldier could face on any given day; that missions could be both terrifying and exhilarating, both heart-warming and sad, both so real yet so unreal.

Author Walter Dean Myers accurately describes the trials and tribulations of the war in Iraq while narrowly escaping the gruesome and violent details of combat that may not be suitable for young adult readers. “Readers will get a sense of the complexities of the war, and of the ways the rank-and-file, as represented by Robin, are slowly drawn into covert or morally dubious engagement” (Publisher’s Weekly). SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH would make an excellent literature circle or required reading selection that will both expose students to the realities of war without glossing over the ugliness and sadness and elicit thought provoking discussions amongst classmates.

References:
2008. "Sunrise over Fallujah." Publishers Weekly 255, no. 16: 59. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2011).
Miller, Jessica. 2008. "Sunrise Over Fallujah." School Library Journal 54, no. 9: 76. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2011).