Our Wild and Precious Lives
by A.G. Russo
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Pub Date Aug 20 2014 | Archive Date Jan 09 2019
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Description
In 1960 Cold War Germany, Tom and Melly McCarron, teenage Army brats, contend with adolescence on a small American base near Bavaria, where their father, a decorated war veteran, begins a three-year tour of duty. As tensions in Berlin rise between the Allies and the Soviets, and threaten to bring about World War III, the base teenagers forge bonds of loyalty and love stronger than any of the adults understand.
Leaving New York on a night flight to Germany, the quiet, thoughtful Tom, and feisty, emotional Melly, are apprehensive about life in a foreign land. While they will attend the American high school in Würzburg, brother and sister realize they are the only stability each has had in their young lives. They also leave behind the sole adult they came to trust, their Aunt Deeny, a librarian who introduced them long ago to a way to cope with life's ups and downs—reading and books.
Confronting the overwhelming challenges of making new friends, adjusting to a foreign environment, and enrolling in yet another school, they also must endure their abusive father and moody war bride mother. But they are not fully aware of how their father's wartime experiences and sacrifices have left him scarred. Relying on their inner strength and resilience, they navigate the boundaries of military dependents—American teenagers with the same needs, yearnings and heartbreak as any of their generation.
Advance Praise
"A novel set in 1960 Cold War Germany doesn't sound like an auspicious beginning for a young adult read; nor do the protagonists, who are teenage Army brats used to relying on one another for support and companionship. But an adult-sounding setting and circumstances is exactly what sets Our Wild and Precious Lives apart from other young adult reads and makes it a vivid and different story that will reach into adult circles even as it remains firmly rooted in the perceptions, experiences, and reactions of teenagers. ...Our Wild and Precious Lives...is, in itself, a wild and precious read..."
D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
"Heartfelt and heart-wrenching - an unexpected knockout...Russo pushes the boundaries of the characters (and the readers) to an unforgettable level, achieving what so many authors fail to do: sincere emotional investment."
Self-Publishing Review
Rivals TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
"...Burnt-out structures show us war's physical damage. Novels like this one show the psychological impacts and the paths our lives take in response...Just as rugged, gritty plants push their way up through the cracks in our sidewalks and streets, love pushes up through the detritus of battle. Sadly, similarly, the horrific visions of warfare push back into our consciousness despite our efforts to prevent them...If you read this tough and tender novel, you'll not forget the principal characters."
Douglas Winslow Cooper
Classic in the making
"Excellent coming of age story, should be considered assigned reading for students."
Jim, Amazon Reviewer
"It’s rare to find a book that so vividly portrays the strong relationship between a brother and sister. In books for teen girls, the brother is often a hook to meet the cute love interest; in books for teen boys, sisters are usually minor characters. In Our Wild and Precious Lives, Tom and Melly’s love and devotion to each other was a touching storyline that reminded me of Jem and Scout’s bond in To Kill a Mockingbird. Having both young male and female perspectives gave the book an unexpected dimension, though Melly is the main focus..."
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 17
"One thing I loved about this book was one of the main characters, Melly. She was very feisty and stood up for herself. She was a very strong character who could be a role-model of sorts for other young readers..."
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 17
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780990710288 |
| PRICE | $3.99 (USD) |
