A parent might reach for this book when their thoughtful middle schooler starts asking complex questions about war, violence, and morality. It's an excellent choice for a child who is ready to move beyond simple 'good vs. evil' narratives. 'Sharpshooter' follows Bo, a teenage pacifist with an extraordinary talent for marksmanship who is recruited into the US Army during World War II. The story confronts the harrowing reality of war by forcing Bo to reconcile his gentle nature with the deadly demands of his role. This book is a powerful, unflinching look at the psychological cost of conflict, best suited for mature readers ages 12-14. It serves as a serious, thought-provoking tool to discuss duty, moral injury, and the true definition of bravery.
Deaths of soldiers occur as a direct result of war, which is central to the plot.
Moral AmbiguityIntense
The core of the book is the protagonist's struggle with the morality of killing for his country.
Sensitive Topics
The book's primary focus is the morality of killing in wartime and the resulting psychological trauma. The approach is direct, secular, and deeply personal. It does not shy away from the mental anguish and potential PTSD a soldier, especially a young one, would face. Death is a constant presence. The resolution is realistic and ambiguous; Bo survives, but he is forever changed. There is no triumphant, heroic ending, but rather a somber reflection on his actions and their cost.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a mature, thoughtful 12 to 14-year-old who is grappling with abstract concepts like morality, justice, and the complexities of human history. This is for the child who has moved past adventure stories and is ready for a character-driven psychological study. It is perfect for a reader who can handle ambiguity and is not looking for a clear-cut hero narrative.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the book's stark honesty about the psychological cost of war. It is not a story of battlefield glory. Previewing the chapters where Bo is in active combat would be wise, as they are intense and emotionally taxing. This book absolutely requires context and is best followed by a conversation about its themes. It cannot be read cold as a simple adventure story. A parent has just heard their child ask a difficult question after a history lesson or seeing war footage on the news, something like: "Is it ever okay to kill someone, even in a war?" or "Do soldiers feel bad about what they have to do?"
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) might focus on the tension and the skill aspect, possibly seeing it as a more straightforward war story. An older reader (13-14) will be far more equipped to understand the profound moral and psychological themes. They will engage with Bo's internal conflict, the concept of moral injury, and the book’s critique of the romanticization of war.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many WWII novels for this age group that focus on espionage, resistance, or broad heroism, 'Sharpshooter' is a laser-focused character study. Its unique angle is placing a committed pacifist in the role of a killer. The narrative's power comes from its quiet, internal exploration of trauma, making it feel more like a literary novel than a typical historical adventure.
Read plot summary
Fourteen-year-old Bo is a gentle soul and a pacifist, but he possesses an almost supernatural talent with a rifle. Despite his moral objections to killing, his skill is noticed, and he is recruited into a special sharpshooter unit in the U.S. Army during World War II. The novel follows his training and deployment, focusing intently on his internal struggle. He is forced to use his gift for killing, and the narrative centers on the immense psychological toll this takes on him, contrasting his actions with his core beliefs and exploring the true, unglamorous nature of being a soldier.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the beginning of the book, Bo refuses to shoot a deer. How does the army convince him that shooting a person in war is different? Do you think Bo ever truly believes their reasoning?
2
Bo's friend George has a very different attitude about being a soldier. Why do you think he and Bo see their roles so differently? Whose perspective do you understand more?
3
The army commanders try to help Bo by telling him to think of his targets not as people, but as problems to be removed. Does this tactic work? Is it a healthy way to cope with a difficult job?
4
After his experiences, do you think Bo would consider himself a hero? Why or why not? What do you think it means to be a hero in a war?
5
The ending is quiet and somber, not a big celebration. Why do you think Chris Lynch chose to end the story this way? What does it say about the experience of war?
