From School Library Journal Grade 5-9–In this final entry in a trilogy about a boy coming of age during World War II, Mazer shows how his hero handles actual military service. The book brings a sense of completion to Adam Pelko's story, which began in Honolulu just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Determined to fight as a Marine, Adam, now 17, talks his grandfather into letting him enlist, although he knows his mother will be furious. Boot camp, with its indignities and hardships, is vividly portrayed, and when Adam arrives in the Pacific arena as a full-fledged soldier, Mazer does a good job of depicting the mind-numbing slog of war. More realistic than many novels about combat for this audience, violence is present without being glorified or unrealistically softened. Adam's first-person narrative brings immediacy to his experiences, but most of the other soldiers and civilians lack focus. Characters who were important in previous titles stay mostly offstage, making it possible to appreciate this offering without reading the others. A historical note covers the basic facts for those wanting to know more. A quick, action-packed read.
