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 that 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 will 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.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
After living through such a horrible experience as war. Service members may like to read about others war experiences and find a connection. The idea of being separated from the "World" is very isolating and can be difficult to reenter.

Genre:
Issue Novel/Death and Deadly Disease

Why I Chose This Book:
It concerns me that a young person can graduate high school and within a few months be in a combat situation. This book illustrates the point and I will remember it as an important resource for readers advisory.