Book Review: Battle Lines Undrawn by Rick Brooks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, Washington, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) November 8, 2010 -- Battle Lines Undrawn
Written and illustrated by Rick Brooks
Mirror Publishing (August 24, 2010)
978-1936352814
100 pages


Follow an American teenager from his daily struggles at Jump School training to becoming a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, to the beginning of the African-American civil rights movement in Battle Lines Undrawn by Rick Brooks.

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Book Review: Battle Lines Undrawn by Rick Brooks

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In 1956, Brad Stevens is an All-American kid, star of his high school’s football and track programs. Instead of college, Brad and his friend, Billy, enlist in the army. After basic training, the pair transfers to Jump School where recruits are put through vigorous training designed to separate the men from the boys. Every day, many of Brad’s co-recruits either quit or are kicked out of the unit. Brad must make five successful jumps to earn his wings as an elite Screaming Eagle of the 101st Airborne. The training is tough and the jumps dangerous, but Stevens will stop at nothing to become a paratrooper and to protect the American way of life against the communist threat. Soon Stevens begins to see that the biggest challenge in America isn’t from a Soviet or Chinese invasion but from inside the nation’s own borders.

Brad and his platoon are sent to Little Rock, Arkansas in September 1957. Once there, Airborne troops are deployed to protect nine African-American students from an angry anti-integration mob. The students were prevented from attending Little Rock Central High School by the Arkansas National Guard.

Author Rick Brooks has done a wonderful job detailing the severe challenges the brave soldiers of the airborne must face in order to earn the right to serve their country. Brooks has done his research, as the training and parachute passages feel authentic. His characters are well drawn and the dialogue realistic to the time period. His illustrations are exceptional and add nicely to the imagery of his narrative. With the election of President Obama, it is easy to forget that only few short decades ago a level of bigotry existed that would stop an African-American person from enjoying a movie with his white friends. This is a coming-of-age story of a naïve teenager and of an entire nation. This book is geared to young adult readers (10-18) and I believe it would be an asset to middle school history/social studies programs. Highly Recommended.

By William Potter for Reader’s Choice Book Reviews

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