About This Book
Frances O'Roark Dowell's 'Shooting the Moon' offers a poignant look at the Vietnam War through the eyes of twelve-year-old Jamie, whose older brother is deployed. Living on a military base, Jamie initially embraces the army's ideals, but her brother's absence forces her to reconsider her beliefs and confront the emotional toll of war on families. This chapter book explores themes of separation, anxiety, identity, and the quiet bravery of those left behind. It's suitable for middle-grade readers, providing a gentle yet honest entry point into a complex historical period and the personal impact of conflict.
When her brother is sent to fight in Vietnam, twelve-year-old Jamie begins to reconsider the army world that she has grown up in.
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Discussion Prompts
1
How does Jamie's understanding of the army and war change throughout the story?
2
What are some of the challenges Jamie faces while her brother is away?
3
How do different characters in the book cope with the war and separation?
4
What does this book teach us about the experiences of military families?
5
If you were Jamie, what questions would you have about the war?
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