Parents' Guide to

Mare's War

By Stephanie Dunnewind, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Unique African American woman's WWII experience.

Book Tanita Davis Historical Fiction 2009
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What's the Story?

Fifteen-year-old Octavia and her 17-year-old sister Tali must drive across the country with their stiletto shoes-wearing, cigarette-smoking grandmother, who insists they call her by her first name, Mare. Neither teen is happy about it, but both are slowly drawn into Mare's stories about her own youth, when she ran away from her poor Alabama home at 16 and joined the Women's Army Corps. In alternating chapters, the narration switches from their road trip to Mare's first-person account of her time in training and then in service overseas with an African American WAC unit.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

Teens might relate more to Octavia and Tali, but Mare's story is the more compelling as she transforms from a poor farm girl to buff soldier. Her African American WAC experiences highlight a rarely seen side of World War II, inspired by the author's research into her own grandmother's life. Davis keeps the history personal and fresh with Mare's strong voice.

The contrast between the whiny, spoiled contemporary teens and their hard-working grandmother is often jarring; readers may find themselves skimming the "now" chapters to reach the next "then."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about segregation and the treatment of African Americans before the civil rights movement.

  • Octavia and Tali have never heard about African American women serving in the military before; what does this say about how American history is taught in school?

  • Mare says, "Talking about segregation isn't as nice and neat as talking about being the 'greatest generation' that won the war. For some folks, it's just stirring up bad memories." Do you agree?

Book Details

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