The Unknown Soldier

by Jess M. Brallier, Jamie Peterson (Illustrator)

Overview

This moving tribute to veterans and America’s fallen follows a young boy on his first trip to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

On the last day of their Washington, DC, vacation, Jack and his family visit a cemetery. Jack finds it boring, but as they watch the guard patrolling the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, his perspective shifts. He learns about the monument, the sentinels, and why it is they keep watch. Jack develops a newfound respect for those who serve and an appreciation for the honor and bravery of veterans. Includes back matter about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and those who guard it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623541590
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	10/04/2022
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.38(w) x 8.81(h) x 0.41(d)
Lexile:	540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Jess M. Brallier was first a publisher, a role he held at Funbrain, Poptropica, Planet Dexter, and Family Education Network. He is now the author of over 30 books for children and adults, including Who Was Albert Einstein, The Olphabet, and Tess's Tree.


Jamie Peterson has been painting since childhood as a way to experience the beauty of the world. She is a veteran of the US Air Force and a graduate of the Air Force Academy. Her work has been exhibited in many galleries in the US and Europe. This is her first picture book.
www.jamiepeterson.com

Editorial Reviews

Jack and his family take a vacation to Washington, D.C., exploring the many monuments and museums on their tour. When they go to a cemetery with rows and rows of graves, Jack thinks it is boring until they come to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A guard walks 21 steps in front of the grave, stops for 21 seconds, and then continues her march. Jack is amazed that this tomb is guarded all day, every day. Peterson’s soft watercolor illustrations show detailed views of the area and capture the emotions felt by Jack’s family. The closing pages include further explanation of the tomb, who it honors, and the significance of the number 21.

VERDICT A beautiful and emotional look into an important memorial to soldiers who have lost their lives. Readers will gain respect for those who served and appreciate their bravery.

—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

09/30/2022

K-Gr 3—Jack and his family take a vacation to Washington, D.C., exploring the many monuments and museums on their tour. When they go to a cemetery with rows and rows of graves, Jack thinks it is boring until they come to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A guard walks 21 steps in front of the grave, stops for 21 seconds, and then continues her march. Jack is amazed that this tomb is guarded all day, every day. Peterson's soft watercolor illustrations show detailed views of the area and capture the emotions felt by Jack's family. The closing pages include further explanation of the tomb, who it honors, and the significance of the number 21. VERDICT A beautiful and emotional look into an important memorial to soldiers who have lost their lives. Readers will gain respect for those who served and appreciate their bravery.—Heidi Dechief

School Library Journal

2022-08-17
A boy visits a special place while on vacation.

Jack and his parents fly to a city where cherry blossoms bloom. Views from the plane and a glimpse of the Washington Monument from the airport offer clues to their destination. The city and sights are unnamed in the simple, easy-to-read text but recognizable from the pleasant, serviceable illustrations. On their trip to the nation’s capital, the family visits the Air and Space Museum, the Spy Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, the zoo, and Capitol Hill (where Jack shakes hands with “somebody important from back home”). On the last day of the trip, they visit Arlington National Cemetery, which Jack at first finds “boring,” but his attention is captured by the 21-step march of the soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Brallier nicely captures the solemn poignancy of this monument to soldiers who fell in battle, far from home, unidentified. The family then visits the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. Beginning the trip home, Jack spots an Army Ranger in uniform in the waiting area. He runs to offer his thanks, and “the unknown soldier”—a jarring phrase, given that this soldier is alive and has a name—stands to respond. Jack and his father present as Asian, his mother is light-skinned, and the Army Ranger presents as Black. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A useful title for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. (more information on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews