
Shooting at the Stars
The Christmas Truce of 1914
Abrams Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 7. October 2014
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-4197-1175-6 (ISBN)
Description
Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. In a letter home to his mother, he describes how, despite fierce fighting earlier from both sides, Allied and German soldiers ceased firing and came together on the battlefield to celebrate the holiday. They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even lit Christmas trees. But as the holiday came to a close, they returned to their separate trenches to await orders for the war to begin again.John Hendrix wonderfully brings this story to life, interweaving fact and fiction along with his detailed illustrations and hand-lettered text. His story celebrates the humanity and kindness that can persist even during the darkest periods of our history. Back matter includes a glossary, additional information about World War I and the Christmas Truce and its aftermath, and an archival photograph taken during the Truce. Also available by John Hendrix: Miracle ManPraise for Shooting at the StarsSTARRED REVIEWS "Few titles at this level convey the futility of World War I as well as this one does. A first choice." --School Library Journal, starred review "Timed with the centenary of World War I but a lesson for always, Hendrix's tale pulls young readers close and shows the human side of war." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Reviews / Votes
STARRED REVIEW"Hendrix crafts an intimate fictional account of the event...powerful images." * Publishers Weekly * While not shying away from war's grim realities, the pictures go a long way toward conveying the hopeful light of the German Christmas trees twinkling in the night while the strains of "Stille Nacht" waft across No Man's Land toward our homesick hero. -- Roger Sutton * The Horn Book Magazine * STARRED REVIEW
"The acrylic and gouache illustrations tell a tale of their own. Not only is this an impressive Christmas story, but it shows the humanity of warring soldiers." -- Jo Drudge, Educational Reviewer, Rome City, Indiana * Library Media Connection * STARRED REVIEW
"Few titles at this level convey the futility of World War I as well as this one does. A first choice." * School Library Journal, starred review * STARRED REVIEW
"Timed with the centenary of World War I but a lesson for always, Hendrix's tale pulls young readers close and shows the human side of war." * Kirkus Reviews, starred review * Soldier Charlie is affectionately depicted as a freckle-faced youngster among war-worn older men, and his status as a newcomer to battle lends credibility to the combination of playfulness and awe with which he regards the truce. * The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Abrams
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 7 to 9 years
Product notice
Picture book
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 291 mm
Width: 255 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
562 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4197-1175-6 (9781419711756)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2023
Abrams Books for Young Readers
€18.18
Available for download
Person
John Hendrix is the author and illustrator of John Brown: His Fight for Freedom and the illustrator of Marissa Moss's Nurse, Soldier, Spy. He has also illustrated novel jackets and done editorial work for Sports Illustrated, The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Progressive.
Illustrated by