B FOR BUSTER

It’s 1943 and Kak is eager to join the war. He lies about his age, makes himself an orphan, and runs away to enlist in the Canadian Air Force. A hometown hero and experienced flier warns him, “You’ll fly an op or two, then beg me to get you out.” Sure enough, war is nothing like comic-book heroes vanquishing evil. Kak has nightmares of falling out of the sky, he fears waiting, and he fears flying, “hurtling through space above a planet made of fire.” This is a familiar story elevated by eloquent writing, a fast-paced plot, and research neatly woven into the narrative. A long author’s note supplies background information. A fascinating angle on the fliers is their use of pigeons as message carriers from downed planes, and a slovenly pigeoneer named Bert befriends Kak and helps him through hard times. A sure hit for fans of war stories and adventures. (maps, glossary) (Fiction. 12=)