Shooting the Moon

The Vietnam War in the mind of today's middle school student is ancient history.  Frances O'Roark Dowell's Shooting the Moon makes the "ancient history" much more understandable and accessible for students.  The themes of honor, duty and country resonate strongly in this story of the Dexter family.

The Dexters are an Army family.  Their father is a Colonel, who followed in the military footsteps of his father.  Jamie's 18 year old brother, TJ, enlists in the Army Medical Corp against the wishes of his parents.  Jamie is more than proud of her brother and is confused by her parent's lack of enthusiasm when TJ shares his plans.  TJ is sent to Vietnam shortly after he finishes basic training.  Jamie looks forward to his descriptions of  real-life combat.  However, what she receives is far different from her expectations.


TJ sends his parents letters; he sends Jamie rolls of film.  The scenes of life in Vietnam reveal a much more scary side of war, images that Jamie doesn't even share with her parents.  The more she sees the more she questions the honor and duty of serving in a war for one's country.  Jamie's ideas and ideals evolve and change as she learns about war through her brother's lens.

Shooting the Moon is an excellent story that will encourage children to think of the price soldiers pay to serve and protect us.  While the story takes place during the late 1960s, early 1970s it could easily take place during any war, as the historical aspects do not overwhelm the story.  However, the story could also be an extremely basic introduction to the Vietnam War, at least familiarizing the students with the event.