Purple Heart

McCormick, Patricia. Purple Heart. Balzer + Bray: 2009. ISBN: 9780061730900.

Plot Summary:
Private Matt Duffy awakens to pokes on his feet and the realization that he is laying in a hospital bed. Less than a year ago Matt's biggest concern was a test at high school or some trivial issue with his girlfriend. Life is now very serious and much bigger than Private Matt Duffy anticipated. Stationed in Iraq, Private Duffy is unclear on how he got to the hospital and exactly what is wrong with him. The last thing he remembers is being out on patrol with his buddy, Justin. As time goes on Private Duffy learns he has TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. A serious injury, but not serious enough to send him to Germany where the critical patients go. It is also not serious enough to keep him from returning to his unit after some rest. As Private Duffy lays in his hospital bed, bits and pieces of his memory begin to return, but they don't make sense or explain how he got hurt. Private Duffy's trust and innocence in his buddies is challenged and questioned as the story unfolds.

Critical Evaluation:
We need more books like this in the body of today's YA literature. This book reflects the situation too many young men and women are unprepared for in today's political climate. Students join the military straight out of high school for many reasons. Some seek adventure, travel, proving themselves, or money for college. They don't understand that many of them end up enforcing government policy in a war where the rules are unclear and ever changing. Private Matt Duffy is tough, but the reality of the, "sick shit," that he sometimes is involved in weighs on him very heavily. Patricia McCormick has written an honest, unflinching novel that doesn't hide Private Duffy's experience, or exaggerate it. The book bears a dedication in memory of five servicemen, the assumption is that they were killed in Iraq. This dedication lends gravity and reality to the story before one page is read.

Reader's Annotation: This is war, people die and sometimes you are the one that kills them.

Information About the Author:
Patricia McCormick lives in New York with her family and two cats. The author has a journalistic background and has written for numerous magazines. She holds a Master's of Science in Journalism and a Masters of Fine Arts. With this background Patricia has taught journalism classes at Columbia University's School of Journalism and creative writing classes at New School University. Sold, also by Patricia McCormick was a National Book Award finalist in 2007.

Genre:
Issue Novel/Death and Deadly Disease

Curriculum Ties:
War in Iraq
Army
Traumatic Brain Injury


Reading Level/Interest Age:
9th +

Challenge Issue
War
Language

To be prepared for a book challenge you must read the book! And encourage all involved in the process to read the book, not just the questionable passages.
Make sure the institution's procedure is followed, this is a protection for all.
ALA provides written guidelines it would be handy to have a hard copy available.

Why Book Included:
Since my son joined the Marine Corp two years I have been reading more books about the military. I am glad this topic is being addressed in young adult fiction.