ANNOTATION

A boy and his father come from far away to visit the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington and find the name of the boy's grandfather, who was killed in the conflict.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A boy travels to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with his father to seek out his grandfather's name. The well-matched text and illustrations are soft but stirring. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Other new Carry-Along titles include The Wall, Eve Bunting's story about a father-and-son visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, illus. by Ronald Himler, and a new version of the popular nursery story, The Three Bears, by Paul Galdone. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-- A boy and his father have come to the Vietnam War Memorial to look for the boy's grandfather's name among those who were killed in the war. They find his name surrounded, but far from lost, in the rows of print that ``march side by side, like rows of soldiers.'' ``I'm proud that your grandfather's name is on this wall,'' says the boy's father. The boy agrees, adding, ``but I'd rather have my grandpa here.'' Before this powerful book is half finished, readers will be deeply moved. Bunting's understated prose captures the meaning of the memorial to the American people, especially to those who lost loved ones, without being maudlin or heavy-handed. Himler's gauzy watercolors are a perfect accompaniment: impressionistic enough for the characters to appear as everymen. A sensitive and moving picture book, and a great discussion book as well. --Catherine vanSonnenberg, San Diego Public Library, CA

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-Eve Bunting's The Wall (Clarion, 1990) has been faithfully transferred to the audio format in this poignant retelling of a small boy's search for his grandfather's name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In a subdued voice, the male narrator reads the story, accompanied by a few background sounds and some guitar and flute music reminiscent of the folk music that was popular during the era of the Vietnam War. There is a brief introduction and a follow-up instructing listeners to rewind the tape, or to turn it over if they want to listen without the page turning chime. The audio quality is excellent, and the narrator's voice captures the quiet grief that the boy and his father feel over their loss. This is a picture book that begs to be read by a sensitive adult, and this version satisfies that need. For school and public library collections.-Linda R. Skeele, Western Elementary School, Georgetown, KY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.