Don't You Know There's a War On?

by Avi

Book Overview

World War II is on everyone's mind and in every headline, and Howie Crispers has a hunch that his school principal is a spy. With a little snooping around, Howie finds out something even more alarming. Principal Lomister may not be a spy, but he is plotting to get rid of Howie's favorite teacher. Howie's dad is fighting Nazis overseas, and his mom is working hard to support the war effort, so Miss Gossim is the only person Howie can depend on. With...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439530962
• ISBN13: 9780439530965
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years

Customer Reviews

Zack L. - Don't You Know There's a War On?

I really enjoy reading about World War II and once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. It takes place in Brooklyn in 1943. Howie Crispers and his classmates learn the school is going to fire their teacher, and they plan on doing whatever it takes not to let that happen. The author's writing really makes you understand the hardships American's suffered during the war - how they had to ration food, shoes, and even endure many nights of Civil Defense blackouts. I would have liked it if the author would have told more about how scared the kids really were during those times. They actually had to wear dog tags - if America was attacked while they were in school, their body could be identified by the dog tags! Also, the author told what happened to Howie a few years after the story took place, but he didn't let you know about Howie's best friend Denny, or their teacher Miss Gossim. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in what life was like in America during World War II. Families had to give up so much for the war effort. I don't think you would enjoy this book if you're more into Science Fiction; this was about everyday life in the 1940's and how a class banded together to save their teacher.

boy and a war

this book is about a boy and a friend that are living in a town and they have a teacher that is really good and they think that she is going to get fired so they investigate. thye is also a war going on. the setting is in a town and at a school and with cloudy skies and smokey air.

Scott says "If you like adventure maybe this you will like."

If I could rate this book from 1-5, I would rate it a 5. I would rate it this because; it's a good book. It has a lot of voice, dialog, and you can get some good pictures in your mind of what's happening. In addition, there are some exciting parts as well. This book is about a boy named Howie Crispers. His teacher named Miss Gossim. One day Howie was walking to school when he saw his principal, so he followed him to his superintendent's house. Howie over heard that Miss Gossim was going to be fired. Before he could leave the house, he ends up stumbling in a coal pit. He then tells his best friend Denny Coelman of what's going on. One day after school Howie got home when the bomb shelter siren went off. His sister was out there all alone and she hates being alone. So he runs to her and gets her home but before he could go, this security guard told him to do a favor. To go tell his boss that sector 5 is all cleared. Howie then grabs the flashlight and runs to his boss. As soon as he gets there and tells the guards boss some mean fat guard tells him to get shelter or he will be in some major trouble. Then he ends up having to stay at Miss Gossim's apartment. So he asks her room number and goes there. She was oddly surprised to se him. She takes him in and they talk about why she is being fired and about her husband Smitty who was lost at war. The reason she was being is that she is expecting a baby! Howie was surprised and had to think of some way so that she can stay teaching. Soon after they can't think of a way and she is fired. Howie will never forget her. I would recommend this book to 6-7 graders because it has very short chapters and big writing. Although it has 200 pages, it's still easy to read. It's a great book and I liked it.

Scott says "If you like adventure maybe this you will like."

If I could rate this book from 1-5, I would rate it a 5. I would rate it this because; it's a good book. It has a lot of voice, dialog, and you can get some good pictures in your mind of what's happening. In addition, there are some exciting parts as well. (...) I would recommend this book to 6-7 graders because it has very short chapters and big writing. Although it has 200 pages, it's still easy to read. It's a great book and I liked it.

A glimpse into a boy's life

Howie Crisper has a few things on his mind. He needs to pass his weekly math test, he worries about his dad away in World War II, and the principal of his school in Brooklyn may be a Nazi spy. All those take a back seat when he stumbles upon the news that the principal has plans to fire his teacher, Miss Gossim. Howie is determined to get to the bottom of the whole mess, and save his favorite teacher. Set in Brooklyn in the midst of the second world war, "Don't You Know There's a War On?" captures a time of great hope and idealism. Howie is a regular fifth grader, who fights with his sister and hates to see his mother cry. He finds himself tryong to help a favorite teacher and also deal with changing circumstances. Avi keeps the tone of the book faithful to the age of the main character and the times. Howie is able to face some of his boggest fears and finds he does have the ability to help, and at the book'd end we find him at the war's end remembering that favorite teacher and the improbable role he played in her life. A real treat.