American Ace
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Moving, fast-paced novel-in-verse; great for teen boys.
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What's the Story?
Conner and his father are part of a large, loving, and loud Italian family. When Conner's grandmother dies, everyone's sad but none more so than his father, who lapses into a depression. Conner soon discovers his father was not the biological son of Conner's grandfather but rather the result of an affair his mother had with an American World War II pilot. With only a nickname, a pair of wings, and a class ring as clues, Conner sets out to help his father discover who he really is. Will they be able to handle the truth?
Is It Any Good?
This novel-in-verse is a moving, riveting, quickly paced story that envelops readers right from the start. Author Marilyn Nelson does a masterful job of making readers care about Conner and his family's journey while keeping them on their toes as Conner navigates through each discovery about his family's heritage.
The joy of AMERICAN ACE is not only growing to love the family and admiring how Conner handles each new revelation; the reader also gains an appreciation for the World War II pilots Conner discovers. Poetry and history combine in unlikely and modern ways to create a unique and fulfilling story. Readers will fall in love with Conner's tight-knit family and be on the edges of their seats as the mystery unfolds.
My half brother, Carlo, Dad’s son with his ex,
who seldom visits, brought his wife and kids
to see their grandfather and cheer him up.
But nothing seemed to make much difference.
I googled depression. And I got scared.
A blue glacier was growing between us.
The melt started on my sixteenth birthday.
(March 17: St. Pat’s. Mom’s family
says it means I’m 51 percent Irish.)
Dad said I should get my driver’s permit!
He promised me forty hours behind the wheel!
That was the best birthday present I ever got!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about heritage and what it means to be "mixed race." Which heritage(s) does your family identify with?
Why is it important to embrace what's different about you?
Why does it trouble Conner that there's so much about his newfound culture he doesn't know?
Book Details
- Author: Marilyn Nelson
- Genre: Family Life
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Dial Books
- Publication date: January 12, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 128
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
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