World War II. Too young to fight. A young boy, caught up in a war far beyond his reach. Eddie Carl, living on a farm in Illinois, can't help but feel a sense of duty to stop Hitler and protect his country. But as the war rages on, it becomes clear that Eddie's own town of Ellisville is not immune to the struggles and conflicts of the world. His brother Thomas joins the fight, leaving Eddie to navigate the challenges of home: a mysterious fire, a stubborn grandfather, and a potential love interest. In the midst of it all, Eddie must discover what is truly right and what he is willing to fight for. With beautiful prose and heartfelt characters, Eddie's War is a moving portrait of a small town during World War II. Fans of The Book Thief and All the Light We Cannot See will find themselves immersed in this poignant tale. “A quick, excellent read.” — Kirkus Reviews “Beautifully phrased and vividly revealing of character... An authentic window into the past” — Horn Book “Beautifully written prose vignettes.” —Bankstreet Best Books of 2012 Jefferson Cup nominee, 2012 —Virginia Library Association Maryland State Black-Eyed Susan Award, 2014-2015 nominee (Grades 6-9) Bankstreet Best Children's Books of the Year, 2012 (Ages 12-14, Outstanding Merit) 2012 Best of the Best Fiction for Teens, Chicago Public Library Kirkus Reviews , Best Children's Books of 2011 Horn Book , Recommended Verse Narratives "A poignant look at boyhood . . . In spare language and remarkably short sketches, carefully selected details effectively portray well-rounded, interesting characters . . . Much more an emotionally resonant coming-of-age tale than a war story, this will be an easy sell for those seeking a quick, excellent read."- Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books of 2011 "Free verse vignettes will appeal to reluctant readers. Compare to Robert Cormier's Frenchtown Summer or Rick Beck's Necking With Louise . Very highly recommended."- Children's Literature "Beautifully phrased and vividly revealing of character . . . an authentic window into the past that recalls the narrative power of Karen Hesse's verse and the moral debate in Mary Downing Hahn's Stepping on the Cracks ."- Horn Book, recommended verse narratives "The narrative's steady progression focuses on a boy's maturation into his teen years . . . Eddie's reflections . . . connect the larger peaceful aspirations of a postwar world with the simple individual dreams of a teen."- School Library Journal "Beautifully written prose vignettes."-Bankstreet Best Books of 2012 "A steady beautiful narrative of a male's coming-of-age from a child to a teen falling in love during turbulent times. The prejudice in this idyllic town is real and frightening as is Hitler's genocide of Jews and Gypsies. Eddie's growth and maturation is authentic, as Saller's command of style and character development excels . . . The author has an excellent website . . . This would be an ideal choice for class discussions or book groups."- Catholic Library World "Saller's poems build from finely delineated episodes of no immediately apparent weight into a cumulative portrait of a tightly interlocked community, where routine, patriotism, and neighborly support cannot always confine darker attitudes and deeds to the shadows. The contemplative tone of the entries and the misplaced accusations against an innocent man are reminiscent of Betsy Byars' Keeper of the Doves ."- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "True and tender."-Nikki Grimes, the poetry zone Carol Fisher Saller grew up not far from Ellisville in the bigger city of Peoria. She lives in Chicago, where she is a contributing editor to The Chicago Manual of Style.