Select one of the keywords
The Things a Brother Knows    by Dana Reinhardt Amazon.com order for
Things a Brother Knows
by Dana Reinhardt
Order:  USA  Can
Wendy Lamb Books, 2010 (2010)
Hardcover, CD, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Lyn Seippel

When Boaz returns from his tour on duty in Iraq, Levi is glad. His brother made it. He's not among the dead. But he's not the same either. He spends all his time in his room, sleeping, or computer surfing while listening to radio static.

Levi never understood why Boaz joined the Marines right out of high school. He gave up scholarships, a gorgeous girlfriend, and a charmed life to fight in a war Levi doesn't understand well enough to decide whether he's for or against it.

While his mother, dad and grandfather wait for things to return to normal, Levi's snooping tells him that things will never be the same again. When his brother leaves again, he says it's to walk the Appalachian Trail, but Levi knows better. With maps found in Bo's browser history, Levi follows. Although he can't walk a mile in Bo's shoes, he can at least walk with him.

Anger, frustration, pity, love. All the things Levi feels for his brother send him on a mission to understand who he is now and bring him home to heal. Walk with Reinhardt's convincing characters as they move towards a realistic, intriguing conclusion. However you feel about the war, this is one book you won't be able to read without tears.

Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons.

Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews