Year of the Jungle: Memories from the Home Front

This powerful autobiographical picture book offers a rare child's-eye view of military deployment, following young Suzy as her father leaves for Vietnam. Through simple yet profound observations, we experience her confusion about where her father has gone and what the jungle represents, with time marked by passing holidays and the sporadic arrival of postcards. The narrative captures the emotional landscape of a child trying to make sense of absence through the limited understanding available to her.

What makes this wartime story particularly compelling is its grounding in the author's own childhood experience, bringing authenticity to the child's perspective that avoids both sentimentality and political commentary. The book speaks directly to children grappling with parental absence for any reason, validating their confusion and fear while showing how imagination fills knowledge gaps. Young readers facing family separation will find comfort in seeing their own emotions reflected, while others gain empathy for classmates experiencing similar situations.