Jump into the Sky

Jump into the Sky by Shelly Pearsall takes place at the end of World War Two.  The book follows Levi whose aunt has shipped him from Chicago to North Carolina to meet up with his father who is in the military.  Levi encounters hatred and fear in a Jim Crow era south.  He also meets some very kind people who help him and finally is able to meet up with his father, a member of an elite paratrooper squadron in Washington State.

This is a fantastic piece of historical fiction that kids will enjoy and provides plenty of room for exploration.  I was fascinated by the story of the paratrooper company and the descriptions of Jim Crow era south are chilling.  This is a nice addition to the group of children's books that take place in the time period and it provides a different perspective portraying the African American experience making it a must buy for middle school libraries and classroom.  I finished the book quickly and was always interested in what would happen next. 

Appropriateness:  There are some harsh racial overtones that a young reader would probably need to discuss.  I would recommend this book to readers 11+ (although it is not inappropriate for older elementary schoolers, just very heavy).