Patrol

A parent would reach for this book when their child begins asking difficult questions about the nature of conflict, the reality of military service, or the morality of seeing others as 'enemies.' It is an essential resource for families navigating a deployment or for children trying to process images of global unrest they may see in the news. The story uses evocative, spare poetry to describe a young soldier's experience on patrol in the jungle, focusing on the sensory details of fear and the sudden realization that the person on the other side of the line is a human being with a life much like his own. While it deals with the heavy subject of war, it does so with a profound gentleness that emphasizes empathy over combat. It is best suited for children ages 8 to 14, providing a safe space to discuss the complexities of bravery, the weight of duty, and the shared humanity that exists even in times of division. Parents will find it a powerful tool for building emotional intelligence and global citizenship.