And in the Morning

by John Wilson

This novel by John Wilson is set during World War One, when a teenaged boy faces the unexpected realities of violent conflict.

Genres: World War I, War, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2002

About the author

John Wilson, an ex-geologist and frustrated historian, is the award-winning author of fifty novels and non-fiction books for adults and teens. His passion for history informs everything he writes, from the recreated journal of an officer on Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition to young soldiers experiencing the horrors of the First and Second World Wars and a memoir of his own history. John researches and writes in Lantzville on Vancouver Island. There are many more details in his memoir, Lands of Lost Content, https://www.amazon.com/Lands-Lost-Con...

Reviews

[Laurie Dubé · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai été littéralement transportée dans les tranchées avec ces extraits de journaux réalistes! WoW!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, wow.

Picked this up thinking "awesome. a short Canadian pub that I can knock out fast even if it's misery the whole way through," and now, I'm going to recommend it to all the men I know and all the boys and probably some girls because it. is. fantastic. Crying-at-work-and-not-ashamed-about-it-fantastic.

I don't want to dive too much into the plot, because to tell anything would almost be to tell everything -- not because this is a predictable story (though I suppose in some ways it might be, which, in this instance detracts not one bit from the book's excellence), but because of course events would unfold in this sequence because ah, the humanity.

Written in scrapbook format, And in the Morning is mainly the diary of 15-year-old Jim Hay during the first world war. Snippets of headlines and articles from newspapers are "pasted" into the diary at intervals, cluing readers into the broader context of world and war events in relation to Jim's personal life.

The writing is excellent; if you're familiar at all with the Dear America diary series, this one will feel familiar, but it's definitely for older readers.
The tone and language of the narration are appropriate to the era, the pacing is right on (terrible, horrible-awful, war things happen, and then there's a lull so the reader can process, and then it's all horrible horrible horrible and then nothing happens for a while again -- it's really well-executed emotionally). In terms of character development, the reader will feel connected to young Jim, who is an admirable fellow, really, and quite honest (as you'd hope someone would be when writing in a diary), owning his shortcomings, asking hard questions, and admitting to his feelings even when they might be considered shameful or disappointing. He is truly compassionate; he has a strong sense of duty. He is respectful and obedient, devoted to his family and friends. When he does join the army, he is a good soldier, one who follows orders, is steady and dependable and who retains his human decency.
The author works references of literature of the time -- poetry, mostly -- into the plot, making sensitivity and a literate awareness part of Jim's character, which adds even more depth and appeal, and, consequently, sympathy to him.

The novel is well-researched; readers who are interested in military history will enjoy descriptions of the soldiers' kits and gear and what life in the trenches was like -- it's not like what most of us think, and apparently not much like Hollywood says at all (no surprise there).

Possibly what I like most about this book is that it is a solid boy book that isn't Halo, Star Wars, or even science fiction. It's not snarky and modern, urban or midwest, and it's not verse. There is a place for all of those, obviously, and there are some really great books that fit those descriptions, but I am so. excited. to find a teen boy book that's recent historical fiction that is also very well-written. Huzzah.

My Dark Horse Award goes to this little novel with the big message, and I'm interested to see what Wandering Fox Books' other offerings are like. If they're anything like And in the Morning, I will be pleased, impressed, and an avid fan.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending took me back but I enjoyed it.
Stories about war sometimes never really capture the terror, the feeling of want and maybe even regret. This one captured it perfectly, and the ending made me cry, a bit.

Since it was written as a journal, this made the character feel so real, in a way? It just made the main character feel like an actual man, not some character in a story.

[Huxy Pie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devastating. Absolutely beautiful. The writing format fit this story so well and made this character come out of the story beautifully. It felt so real. I bawled my eyes out during my class. I haven’t cried that much since “The boy in the stripped pyjamas” and “This is where it ends” Will recommend to everyone.

[Remnant Stars · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a kid as required reading and it destroyed me. Read it again as an adult and I'm still moved by it. Some scenes seemed unnecessary but it's a relatively short read and it broke my heart. Anything that can make me feel like this was worth it.

[Robbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

And in the Morning by John Wilson was a fast, sometimes gripping read that at other times had me bored and frustrated.
As one who enjoys reading historical fiction or anything to do with past or current wars, this book was at least entertaining.
The book begins as a first entry into a diary, written by 15 year-old Jim Hay in late 1914, I believe somewhere in England or Scotland. It starts at the very beginning of World War I, and right off the bat it becomes obvious Jim is excited to join the military. Unfortunately, half the time is spent talking about home life, until a series of tragic events hit Jim, causing him to finally go to war. The diary then finally becomes interesting as we learn Jim is leaving his lover to go to war, which he believes will be a romantic/heroic experience. While Jim experiences new things, meets new people, and faces the horrific reality of warfare, the plot eventually became easily predictable, leaving me at times uninterested and bored. As diary events begin to climax, future events become easily predictable. The ending seemed to come too soon, but, not to give anything away, it left me frustrated how everything turned out, being so predictable in the first place.
One unique thing I did enjoy throughout the book were letters and "newspaper" snippets, that had been "placed" into the diary. The letters are essentially letters kept by the writer, and the newspaper "cutouts" help inform the reader in a noninterrupting way what is going on with the war during the time of th writing.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, but it left me frustrated and made me want to read something else just so I could forget it. It's plot, which did include tragedy, romance, and snapshots of reality in 1914-1915, was too predictable and at times dull. Although there were these negatives, I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in the topic, as it was a easily comprehendable and fast story that at least kept me reading until the very end.

[Aiyana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jim (the Jim who's alive) is a sixteen year old boy who receives a mysterious journal from his dead grandfather. In this journal, is the story of Jim Hay, a soldier who fought in the war of 1914. Jim Hay's adventure was sad, and disturbing, and Jim (the Jim who's alive) learns that war is no joke, and to take it seriously.

I picked this book up because Mr. Gould recommended it to me, and I was looking for a good book about war.

I finished this book because I wanted to know what happened with Jim Hay and Anne's love story. I was surprised that Anne married Robert Thorpe, but I think it's a nice conclusion for them both, except to me it's not fair that Anne at least got to experience a passionate romance, whereas Robert got less than what he deserved. I also knew that Anne would get predictable, because in most war stories, this ends up happening. I don't like that we didn't really learn much about Jim (the Jim who's alive), all we know really is that he's sixteen, and received a journal from his 'great-grandfather'. The ending of the book was pretty good, and that boosted my rating, because I probably would have given this book 1 star, and now it's at 2.

I recommend this book to Aaron. I know it's slow, and kind of boring, but I think that Aaron will be able to handle it.

[Cassie N]

The book "And In The Morning" by John Wilson was not a book I would usually read. I usually read fantasy or romance books, so this was quite a change. I thought that this book was fine, but there are some things I would change. One thing that I would change is how excited the main character (Jimmy)is about his father going to go fight in the war. He is thoroughly enthralled by the fact that his father is leaving him, even though there's a big chance that he will perish in battle. Jimmy even wanted to fight alongside his dad, even though he's only fifteen! If my father was going to war I would be a mess, so I don't know where this extreme want for fighting comes from. Another thing I would change about this book is its length; it was really too short for my taste. They could've talked more about Jimmy's feelings of excitement and anticipation. This would've really made me like this book a lot more and it would've also created more imagery, which would've helped me really "see" what's going on. Other than that, I thought this book was pretty good. There were many twists and turns in the plot that made me really want to keep reading. However, I think that the book was below my reading level, and I will probably not pick a book like this again.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy named Jim received a very unique and special gift from his great-grandfather Robert Thorpe for his sixteenth birthday. The gift was a diary written by his good friend Jim Hayes, a World War I veteran. These pages tell the story of Jim Hays in battle and his letters to the love of his life, a woman named Anne. Jim Hays had new experiences, met new friends and was front and center with war and its bloody life changing attributes.

Author John Wilson puts readers in a rare place, the front lines of war. The events, newspaper clippings and such make the character believable. John pulled together many pieces from many lives to provide a realistic point of view for the reader. Parents, teachers and especially boys will enjoy the history found on these pages. The back of the book has acknowledgements, an author Q&A, and questions for discussion.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 - This book actually wasn't that bad, but it wasn't really all that engaging either. I found that I loved how the book was written, but not what the actual story was about. It was great that the novel had news clips inserted throughout the text to remind the reader what was happening within the war, and the epistolary style works well. However, this type of war story isn't really my jam, but I can see why this book is taught in schools (in fact, this was an ISU novel one of my students selected) as its definitely written in an interesting way, I just wish the story on a whole had been a more engaging experience.

[Mymcbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: A story about a young man's life fighting for survival. He couldn't wait for his turn to go off to war and fight. After his father was killed in action and his mother suffering a breakdown. Jim decided it was time to join the fight. But his views about the war wasn't what he taught. He wrote in his journal the horrors of the war and the loss of innocent lives. Now he must fight to stay alive long enough to return home.


FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book Wandering Fox Books in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the book And in the morning the main Charichter is a young boy when World War One breaks out. He believes that it was a good thing but when he joins up in the military he quickly learns that life on the frontline is not as easy as people made it out to be. Before he joined up in the military he thought that war was a great adventure and that it would be great for him to tell stories about. After his father is killed he decides to enlist for the 39th battalion that will be going to the trenches in the fall. He quickly Learns that life in the trenches is a struggle and that at any moment he could be hit by artillery or killed by the enemy snipers.

[Rachel Bhattacharyya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although nothing beats Four Steps to Death in portraying the horrors of war, Wilson has portrayed the initial fervor - then subsequent despair - that occurred for soldiers and families during WWI in And in the Morning. This book has piqued my interest in that period of history, and I did not realize until reading this book that shell-shocked soldiers from many allied countries were hung and labeled as deserters. Many of Wilson's books have difficult story lines - often poignant and grief-filled. Nevertheless, this story has haunted me the most.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this inspired-by-actual-events story about a Scottish lad serving in Great Britain's army during WWI. There's not a lot of juv/young adult fiction about this war so I liked it for that alone. An earlier reviewer was turned off by Jim Hay's unfettered enthusiasm about his dad going off to serve and the event in general but there's often (always?) been a contingent in any war that is gung-ho to go and fight.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Hay is a teenager caught up in the hype of World War I. When his father is shipped off to battle, Jim keeps a diary of his thoughts and continues his writing when he and his best friend enter the war themselves. He soon realizes there is nothing glorious about any of it. He records in grim detail the horrors of the war, the blunders, and the loss of innocence. A compelling and powerful read, this is an excellent addition to the study of war. For older readers ages 12 and up.

[Tidewater Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The main character, Jim, is completely believable; his story is both very personal and universal. His understanding of, and experience with, World War I reflects that of society - from original enthusiasm through grim determination to disillusionment. The plot is gripping and well told through a series of diary entries and other ephemera. This might be classified as a young adult novel but makes a good read for anyone.

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst books I've ever read. And I've read a lot of books. I only picked it up because it was on the must-read YA fiction shelf at my local library. Someone was smoking crack when they put it there.

[Christie Suh · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book the hero is an older teenager who gets involved in World War I. The violence is sometimes personal, and the things Jim Hay sees are sometimes horrifying. It is an excellent portrayal of the horrors that the Great War brought home to hundreds of thousands of Europeans and Americans.

[Steelwhisper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite heartbreaking and the author needs commending for writing this as a YA novel! Recommended for everyone.

[Janice Da costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

best book ever read

[Jessm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. It was very well written, and it covered how sad times can get during war.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel like I was in the war