For the young reader grappling with difficult family truths, this book navigates identity, grief, and the search for belonging amidst the uncertainties of wartime.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with an absent parent or a difficult family truth they are not yet ready to face. "Missing in Action" follows Jay Thacker, a half-Navajo boy who moves to a small Utah town during World War II. To cope with his father being missing in action and to fit in, he creates a new identity, telling everyone his father is a war hero. This powerful historical novel explores heavy themes of grief, identity, prejudice, and the painful process of accepting that our parents are imperfect. It's an excellent choice for a thoughtful middle-school reader ready to tackle complex emotional territory and the nuances of honesty, family loyalty, and personal integrity.
A parent's alcoholism is a central, and painful, plot point discussed by characters.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with several sensitive topics. The central theme of an absent parent and ambiguous loss is resolved not with a happy reunion, but with the painful, secular truth of abandonment due to alcoholism. The resolution for Jay is hopeful in that he matures and finds strength, but the circumstances are realistically harsh. Racism is depicted directly through slurs and attitudes towards Jay's Navajo heritage and the overt prejudice against Japanese Americans, including the existence of the internment camp.
Ideal Reader
This book is for a mature reader, 12-15, who is beginning to question black-and-white narratives and understand the complexities of adult life. It's particularly suited for a child grappling with disillusionment, a family secret, or the reality of a parent's fallibility. It also serves as an excellent, emotionally grounded entry point into the history of the WWII home front for a thoughtful teen.
Parent Prep
Parents should preview the chapters where Jay's grandfather reveals the truth about Jay's father. This scene is emotionally intense and reframes the entire story. It is crucial for parents to be prepared to discuss alcoholism, abandonment, and the idea that people, including parents, can have deep, painful flaws. Contextualizing the historical racism against Native Americans and Japanese Americans is also highly recommended. A parent might be prompted to find this book after their child expresses frustration or curiosity about a family secret or an absent relative. For example, a child asking, "Why does no one ever talk about my real dad?" or making up stories to fill in the gaps about a missing family member.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12) will likely focus on Jay's struggle to fit in, his friendship with Ken, and the unfairness of the internment camp. An older reader (14-16) is more equipped to appreciate the deeper themes of inherited trauma, the psychological weight of a lie, and the painful but necessary process of seeing one's parents as complex, imperfect human beings.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many WWII stories that focus on heroism and patriotism, this book delves into the unglamorous, painful realities of the home front. Its unique strength lies in juxtaposing the national narrative of heroic sacrifice with the private, messy tragedy of one family's collapse due to alcoholism and abandonment. It bravely tackles the idea that not all soldiers are heroes and not all loss in wartime is noble.
Read plot summary
During WWII, thirteen-year-old Jay Thacker, who is half-Navajo, moves with his mother to live with his grandfather in Delta, Utah. Bullied for his heritage in his old home, Jay sees a chance to reinvent himself. He tells his new peers that his father, who is missing in action, is a decorated war hero and prisoner of war. As he navigates life in a town adjacent to the Topaz Japanese American internment camp, he befriends a boy named Ken from the camp. This friendship, along with his grandfather's quiet wisdom, forces Jay to confront the town's prejudice and the growing weight of his own lies. The story culminates in Jay learning the devastating truth: his father was not a hero but an alcoholic who abandoned the family.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jay works hard to build a story about his father being a hero. Why was this lie so important for him to tell himself and others? Do you think he was wrong to do it?
2
When Jay’s grandfather finally tells him the truth about his father, how does it change Jay’s understanding of his family? How is it possible to love someone who has also caused so much pain?
3
Compare the prejudice Jay faces for his Navajo heritage with the treatment of Ken and his family from the Topaz camp. What does the book show us about who is considered an 'insider' versus an 'outsider' in a community?
4
At the end of the book, Jay seems to have a more realistic view of his father and grandfather. What specific moments or conversations do you think helped him grow up the most?
