World War I marked the beginning of modern warfare, but its commanders still used the old war tactics. The results were disastrous. Soldiers were stuck in mud-filled trenches full of disease, afraid to lift their head above the edge for even a second for fear of being struck down by a sharpshooter. The two sides would exchange grenades and fire and occasionally be ordered out on doomed charges. Yet surrounded by death and violence, peace triumphed for a brief period. On Christmas Day 1914, hundreds of thousands of soldiers defied orders and laid down their arms to meet their enemies in the no-man's land between the trenches and celebrate together.
Murphy details the events leading up to World War I in a clear way. His descriptions are compelling and it is an excellent read all around. The ample excerpts of letters and photographs from the time help to give an authentic sense of the events. I'd give this to kids looking for a narrative nonfiction book with an interest in history.
Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy
Erica's Picks
4th - 6th Grade
Tags: History, Nonfiction
Murphy details the events leading up to World War I in a clear way. His descriptions are compelling and it is an excellent read all around. The ample excerpts of letters and photographs from the time help to give an authentic sense of the events. I'd give this to kids looking for a narrative nonfiction book with an interest in history.
Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy
Erica's Picks
4th - 6th Grade
Tags: History, Nonfiction
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