War and Watermelon

by Rich Wallace

It's the summer of 1969. We've just landed on the moon, the Vietnam War is heating up, the Mets are beginning their famous World Series run, and Woodstock is rocking upstate New York. Down in New Jersey, twelve-year-old Brody is mostly concerned with the top ten hits on the radio and how much playing time he'll get on the football team. But when he goes along for the ride to Woodstock with his older brother and sees the mass of humanity there, he starts to wake up to the world around him-a world that could take away the brother he loves.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Football, War, Realistic Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2011

Reviews

[The Dusty Jacket · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were to rank boys based on “coolness”, Brody Winslow would be near the bottom…low-middle at best. But things could be worse. It’s August 1969 and his brother Ryan could STILL avoid the draft (if he just got off his butt), the New York Mets COULD win a game (if they just got off their butt), and Brody MIGHT be a starter on his football team (if he could just stay off his butt). All in all, things are looking pretty good. In less than a month, Brody will be starting junior high school and his brother has promised to take him to a farm in upstate New York for some hippie concert protesting the war in Vietnam. That might be fun. Big changes are coming and Brody is about to tackle them all…whether he’s ready or not.

Rich Wallace started his early writing career as a sports editor for various New Jersey newspapers and his talent shows in "War & Watermelon" where the football and baseball references abound. But what’s really at the core of this tender and sentimental book is the special bond shared by brothers Ryan and Brody. Unlike the competitive or jealous sibling relationships you find in some books, the Winslow boys are fiercely supportive, loyal, and kind to one another. As Ryan’s 18th birthday approaches—along with his draft status—Brody senses his brother’s increasing anxiety and is not sure how to comfort him: “I should get to bed; we’ve got another game tomorrow night. But I wouldn’t be sleeping anyway, so I’d rather stay here with Ryan. He’d been there for me. Teaching me how to shoot a basketball or cook a hot dog. Taking me to the movies, even when he goes to the drive-in with Jenny. Giving me things like a Giants jersey he got too big for, or a flashlight when I was four and scared that there was a monster in my closet. Now he’s scared. I’m scared, too. We might as well sit here together.” There’s also a tight-knit relationship between Ryan, Brody, and their father. Nights sitting up cheering on their Mets while eating olives and saltines or laughing out loud to re-reruns of "The Honeymooners" are clearly enjoyed and treasured by all three.

"War & Watermelon" is a humorous and delightful book about one young man trying to make a difference and one boy trying to make it through the day. It’s a little slice of Americana served with grape soda pop and a bag of pretzels in front of a black and white TV. It isn’t dramatic, suspenseful, thrilling, or riddled with angst. Some may even go so far as to call it trite or boring. But as Brody Winslow once said, “We wander around for an hour, shoot some baskets, then go home. Yeah, it was boring, but that’s life. Boring isn’t always so bad”. I would even venture to say that boring can be great…now pass the olives and turn on the TV!

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Avoiding plot seems to be considered a literary device in teen lit these days, and this book does everything it can to avoid any plot motion. Not only does nothing happen, but all resolution is carefully avoided. There is a hint of romance, but no conclusion either way. There is the prospect of getting drafted for Vietnam, but it goes away. They don't even play the big football game in the end, the main character just thinks about how it might end. Nothing happens, and in my mind, that's not a story.

[Bailey Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well the book was about a boy named Brody Winslow who is alive during the 60's,it also takes place during the summer. Brody like to play football he is playing football for his school, he plays football with his best friend Tony. Him and Tony also go to the pool and swim a lot Both Tony and Brody are in the same grade and they both go to the same school.They hang out a lot after Football practice, They talk about these two girls that they like, their names are Patty and Janet. They plan to meet up with them at the dance at the pool. Patty and Tony go off and then Brody has Janet. Well Tony tried to kiss Patty and patty socked him in the face and Janet did the same thing to Brody.
Brody Also has a brother named Ryan and Ryan is soon to be 18 and because of that Ryan will become in-listed in the army to fight over in Vietnam. Ryan brings Brody with him and they go to Wood Stock Ryan told his mom and dad that they are only gonna be there for the day which didn't really happen. Brody's Dad is always on Ryan's case about getting into college because he's worried about Ryan and doesn't want him going to Vietnam.



I thought that the author did a good job and I really liked the book I do recomend it to other people specially people that interested in the 60's and 70's. The author did move me because of the way he made the book sound interesting. I loved the them Of the book because of me being such a big fan of the time period. If I could I would read this book over again.

I would have to give this book 5 because I did really like the book a lot and I will probably recommend it to people that are interested in the time period

[Josh Newhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet, kind of reminded me of wonder years ... a little light on plot and resolution but pleasant historical fiction... some mild language and alcohol and pot... I think kids would like it...

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Lots about sports, and not really a "end goal"

[Michael Marcela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Being I was a kid and lived in a similar town and even played middle school football, in addition to being a big Mets fan too, I related greatly to this book. The story is good and well written. The passages about time spent with their father were great. The fear of the parents about the draft and the war were very real as well. Just wish there was some type of resolution to the story. It just kind of ends and you are left hanging.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, pretty light read-- a little football heavy for me, but I bet a teenage boy would get really into it. The story moves quickly, and the characters are likable. Not much in the way of depth or a satisfying conclusion, but lots of good references to 60's music and poetry written through the eyes of the junior-high narrator, which, together, earned it a star from me.

[Icy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a short and sweet story of kids starting Junior High. I liked it, but probably wouldn't read it again. It was nice to get a better persepective from the time period, I'll say.

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA book that does a decent job of dealing with coming of age stuff in the backdrop of Vietnam and Woodstock.

[Jennifer Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story starts well but ending left me feeling unsatisfied.

[Angela Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent YA read, and I enjoyed the '60s references, but since I'm not a football fan, those references went past my head. Brody and his family and friends were interesting characters.

[Angie Binner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read into the life of one man in 1969, dealing with the world around him.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

page 45

[Brooke Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really easy read.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1969, and Brody is twelve years old and living in New Jersey. He spends his time rooting for the New York Mets, listening to the top 40 radio station and charting his favorite songs from week to week, and playing football. His older brother, who will soon be old enough for the draft, has other things on his mind - namely avoiding and protesting against the war in Vietnam. With his brother, Brody has the chance to go briefly to Woodstock, where his mind also starts opening up to some of the issues surrounding the war.

Like most Rich Wallace novels, this is mainly a sports book, just set in a historical time period instead of the present day. The writing is tight, clear and concise, and the narration of the many football plays impresses me because I find it especially difficult to describe complex physical action. I read this book just a few days after I read Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt, which I reviewed on 8/16/11. Because both books are set in the latter part of the 1960's, I couldn't help but make a few comparisons, especially since the books did have a number of things in common. Both boys are baseball fans, though Doug in Okay For Now likes the Yankees, not the Mets. Both boys also have brothers who are impacted by the Vietnam War in different ways. There's also a bit of romance in each novel, though Doug's attachment to his female friend is more emotional, while Brody's is more hormonal, at least for most of the story.

I think Okay For Now is the better of the two books, if only because it packs a much stronger emotional punch. I think the sports elements in War and Watermelon would make it appealing for boys, especially, but the cover and the historical details could possibly turn them off, or at least mislead them as to what the book is about. I enjoyed reading it myself, mostly because of the musical references. I grew up listening to oldies from the 60's, so I knew many of the songs and found myself humming them as I read. This would probably not be the case for most kids reading the book, however, and I wondered whether most of it would be lost on them because of that.

To supplement this review, I actually made a list of links to some of the different songs Brody mentions in the story, in case it happens to be useful to any of my blog visitors. I'd certainly recommend tracking down these songs and listening as you read, or sharing them with a child you know who's reading the story. It adds a whole new layer to the book, and creates a great opportunity for kids to grow in their knowledge of pop culture.

Here they are:
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
Sly & The Family Stone - Hot Fun in the Summer Time
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Green River
Grass Roots - I'd Wait a Million Years
The Temptations - I Can't Get Next To You
Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue
Tom Jones - I'll Never Fall in Love Again
Oliver - Jean
The Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Women
The Archies - Sugar, Sugar
The Youngbloods - Get Together
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap - This Girl is a Woman Now
Zager & Evans - In the Year 2525
Tommy James and the Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion
The Cuff Links - Tracy

Overall, reading this book was a lot like watching an episode of The Wonder Years. It made the 1960's accessible to me through Brody's observations and made things that happened 40 years ago still feel relevant to me today. I also like the way Brody's taste in music slowly starts to reflect his change in point of view about the war and the world around him. That may have been too subtle to be obvious to kids, but I still liked the artistry behind it. This book is well-written, and if kids do choose to pick it up, they'll find a satisfying and educational story.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

War & Watermelon by Rich Wallace, a Junior Library Guide selection, is set in 1969 in New Jersey just as the Vietnam War is beginning to rage and Woodstock is ready to rock suburban New York. New Jersey brothers Brody and Ryan take a road trip to the concert of their generation as Ryan continues to avoid questions from his parents about his future, particularly college, and the draft. Brody is just about to start junior high school and is eager to join the football team, but his world is insular in that his main focus is football, girls, the Mets, and the Top 40 hits.

“I grab the ball, make a juke to the right, and send a line drive over the clothesline and directly into the basket. The bell rings. Ryan puts his hands on his hips and stares at the ceiling. I raise my fists and say, ‘Yes!’

I carefully move past the shirt — it looks more like polka dots than tie-dye — and smack hands with him. ‘Champion,’ I say, patting myself on the chest.

‘Mr. Clutch,’ he says. ‘ Best in the basement, for sure.’” (page 23)

Told in Brody’s point of view, the novel thrusts readers into the life of a teenage boy who only thinks about sports and girls. But it’s more than that for Brody. He’s worried about fitting in at junior high and whether his brother will be drafted into the Vietnam War in September when he turns 18. The prose is clipped and focused, with breaks between scenes as Brody’s mind shifts from football worries to family concerns and between girls and the start of school.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2011/06/w...

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a snapshot in history, War & Watermelon takes the reader back to the year 1969 during the months of August and September. A time of war, baseball, football, Woodstock and changes, this is one boy's month to be remembered and will capture the hearts of readers everywhere.


I knew when I began reading War & Watermelon that I was going to be quickly engrossed within twelve-year-old Brody's life and I was not disappointed. The way in which Rich Wallace writes is like sitting down with a friend and reliving a piece of history, or as I stated above, a snapshot of Brody's life at an incredibly important time of his life.

Being twelve is difficult as it is - discovering girls, going into Junior High, and all things that come with this tumultuous time period. Add to it the worry of war and the concern that your soon to turn eighteen-year-old brother may be drafted and is doing nothing about it and life is not so carefree and innocent.

I have to say that while I read War & Watermelon, I could easily envision the settings, the characters and every feeling and emotion that went through each and every person. I felt truly drawn to the characters and the story. The overall feel is one that will remain with the reader after the final page has been read.

As I finished War & Watermelon, I closed the book with a huge smile on my face. I commend Rich Wallace for his excellent writing and for bringing this time period so vividly to life. An excellent read for young adults as well as any age. The story does center on a twelve-year-old boy, however girls will be able to fall in love with the story just as much as a boy. The perfect summer read!

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"War and Watermelon" had caught my attention, mostly because it was about the war of Vietnam. The book started off a little slow considering that it was mostly about the main character, Brody, that is involved with football. I do not understand one bit about football. Once it got into the part of him and his brother doing things together, I started to be able to relate a lot more to the book because they have the same relationship that my sister and I do. His brother, Ryan, is being sent off to fight in the war of Vietnam because his father doesn't see that Ryan is mature for his age (at 18) for his brother. So Ryan and Brody try spending as much time together before they are separated. This book gives you such a warm feeling because it shows Brody at the age of 12 trying to spend the rest of his summer to the best of his abilities. It shows him growing up and seeing what he needs to do in order to be prepared for his life ahead of him.

I usually don't like Historical Fiction books, but this book had kept my attention constantly. If you don't like books that have a really strong and confusing climax, then this book isn't for you. It is very slow moving and is kind of all over the place, but once you get to the end it is a very nice book to have read and was worth my time. I couldn't seem to get myself into the book, but once I did I could not put it down.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brody Winslow is enjoying the last of the summer. He just made the football team before entering the 7th grade in 1969. He frequently attends the activities at his local swim club. He likes some to the girls but he thinks they have not noticed him yet. His brother Ryan graduated high school last June and has decided not to attend college just yet. But America is engaged in the Vietnam War and if you are 18 and not in college then you get drafted. Ryan’s 18th birthday is fast approaching. Even at twelve years old Brody understands how serious the situation is. He starts to see a world outside his town when he goes to Woodstock with his brother and some friends. Ryan and his father are at odds about the war, the draft and college. This is causing a lot of conflict in the household. We watching Brody wake up to the world around him as he begins to understand that things aren’t black and white. Brody is scared for his brother and hopes he makes the right decision?
Rich Wallace’s book is geared for boys in 6th to 8th grade. Although less than 200 pages YA readers will be able to identify with Brody’s character. Wallace does not overwhelm us with all the mayhem going on with this time period, but delicately involves us as Brody sees events unfold.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great historical fiction about the late 60's. The main character, Brody, has an older brother, Ryan, who just graduated from High School and doesn't want to go to college. His father is absolutely upset because as soon as he's 18 he could be drafted into the Vietnam War. Ryan has other plans like Woodstock. Brody, who is just 12, gets dragged along for the ride. He learns a lot about growing up from his brother and his brother's girlfriend, Jenny. He also has a best friend, Tony, who teaches him what not to do with girls. I would recommend to 6th grade boys and up. Woodstock is visited in the book, so nudity, smoking, pot smoking, and alcohol are touched on. Although this is only one chapter in the book. The rest of the book does have drinking, smoking, making out, and a few swear words. Sports are also a main theme in the book. Brody plays on the football team and his whole family follows the Mets religiously. Totally O.K. for the YA crowd but I think I'll be a little more subjective when recommending it to juveniles.

[Brooks Kinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and its message. This book takes place in 1969 during the time of the Moon Landing, Woodstock and the Vietnam War, and I feel like this book does a great job at showing what it was like to be growing up or living in this time period. It really captured the emotions of the characters, especially the main one Brody. Brody has an older brother Ryan in the story, who is eligible for the draft for the first time. At the time neither of the two think much of it, but after going to an event like Woodstock, Brody realizes the types of people and dangers that are around them during this time and does all he can to keep his family close to him. The story does a great job at showing the love this boy has for his family and what it was like for someone to have that possibility of losing a brother to the draft.

[Stef · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love books that take place in the '60s and '70s, but this is some bland stuff. The main character isn't terribly interesting, the concern that his older brother could be sent to Vietnam is hammered in over and over, and the details that create the 1969 setting feel shoehorned in (e.g., the "Paul is dead" conversation that doesn't introduce anything new or say interesting, then hopping immediately to tye-dying T-shirts with food coloring). These details either come across as very generic, or else they're so obscure they do little to set the scene or mood sufficiently. The flap of the book and the back cover do little to convey what the plot is. Perhaps those who are twelve -- like the narrator -- will appreciate this more.

[Nicole Kmiec · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intended audience for this novel seems to be for young adult. Overall, it was a well-written book. The plot is about a young adolescent, Brody, who fears the reality of junior high, is hesitant about interactions with girls, loves his brother Ryan, and is terrified for his brother's potential draft for war. All of these conflicts are eventually addressed later in the book. There were a few themes in the book including, love, family, identity, and fear.

This book does not deal with the gruesome aspects of war, rather it addresses the peaceful side of the war. It acknowledges the peace groups formed and how men and families were feeling about the draft at the time.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

War & Watermelon felt like a well worn shoe, comfortable. I lived these events and angst. Will middle schools find it appealing? Time will tell.

Book Talk:
(Music: The Times They are A'changin) Men walked on the moon. Woodstock. The Mets the worst team in baseball is about to flying into first place.
Girls are a mystery to me, but my best friend Tony is trying to hook me up with one. And my home front is a minefield. If my dad and brother aren't arguing, it must be because they're not talking to each other. If by brother doesn't go to school soon, he'll be drafted and sent to Vietnam.

[Sarah Wynhof · Rating 3 out of 5]

1969: Woodstock, Vietnam War, the Mets and Jr. High. War and Watermelon takes a snapshot of 12 year old Brody's life in the midst of history happening all around him. His main concerns include night swimming, the top songs on the radio, how the Mets are doing, his fear of fumbling the ball during the big game and if his older brother Ryan will go to college or get drafted. This book captures the way I remember summers, full of swimming, heat, tv and radio. Not a lot happens, but I think that's kind of how life works sometimes.

[Stephanie Stocks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brody is coming of age during the turbulent 1960s. The summer before 7th grade, he is trying to secure a spot on the football team and navigate the world of dating. At the same time, his almost 18 year old brother Ryan is trying to figure out his place in the world as the country is fighting a war he doesn't believe in. The innocence of watching baseball collides with the turbulence of Woodstock and war demonstrations in this coming of age novel.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

male protagonist; 1st person.
1960s Vietnam War era
entering 7th grade and a new school
Woodstock
Football/baseball (Mets)**
Older brother relationship (conflict betw war and college)
music, poetry
girls (1st encounter)
Comfortable, easy to read
Great sense of the time period with authentic cultural references

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will move it from J to YA: older brother and friends drink alcohol and smoke marijuana (main character never even considers it and it is never offered to him). Otherwise, a good look at 1969 from a 7th grade point of view. Intersting that Woodstock was just a chapter in his life--not the be all and end all, as most books of the late '60's tend to be. Enjoyable.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didnt finish this, i abandoned it. it didnt really captivate my interest, but i've decided when i have to do another research paper for school and iget to pick the topic, it's gonna be on Woodstock. anyways i mean it wasn't the best.

[Lorraine Stinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story about kids in jr. high in 1969. I don't think it gets the time period just right, and I'm not sure about "frickin'" being on the first page, call attention to language.