DEVOTION (ADAPTED FOR YOUNG ADULTS)

In this young readers’ adaptation of the 2015 title for adults by the same name, a courageous pilot’s moral compass makes him go against his rule-following tendencies in a bid to save his friend behind enemy lines.

The atrocities of war became the backdrop for a unique and unlikely friendship. In 1949, Jesse Brown from Mississippi was one of only five African Americans among the Navy’s 45,000 officers. In contrast, Tom Hudner was a young White man of means from Massachusetts when he entered the Naval Academy. These two officers navigated the racism that percolated just beneath the surface of the Navy, complicating their initial steps toward friendship. The author’s exploration of the internal lives of both men helps explain their actions and highlight their true natures, leading up to the tragic moment when Hudner risked his life in a vain attempt to save Brown, an act for which he later received a Medal of Honor. The Korean War and its aftermath become real; readers learn about the physical realities of being on the front lines as people witnessed death up close and the responsibility they felt afterward to honor those who served valiantly. Historical photos provide an added level of humanity. The strong pacing will keep readers’ senses alert and fully engaged as they fly through danger with these brave men.

A breathtaking account of the experiences of two naval pilots during the Korean War.