A Boy at War

infobox Book |
name = A Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor
title_orig =

image_caption = Cover of Hardcover
author = Harry Mazer
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Young adult Adventure Historical novel
publisher = Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
release_date = April 3, 2001
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 104 pp
isbn = ISBN 978-0689841613
followed_by = A Boy No More

"A Boy at War" is a historical novel by Harry Mazer targeted at young adult audiences based on the events of the attack on Pearl Harbor that intitiated the United States' involvement in World War II. The book follows Adam Pelko, the son of a navy commander stationed at Pearl Harbor, during the Japanese attack of 7 December 1941.

ynopsis

In this novel, a young Austrian-American boy, Adam Pelko moves to Honolulu. When he arrives, he goes to a public school. This is hard for him, since most of the kids don't like military students. He manages to make two friends: Davi Mori, a Japanese American and Martin Kahahawai, a native Hawaiian. They go fishing at Pearl harbor when the Japanese attack happened. The family receives a telegram which states that Mr. Pelko has been missing in action since December 7. Adam knows his father is dead, because he saw the Arizona, his father's ship sink. His mother warns him to not say anything to his younger sister, Bea. The family is moved from Hawaii and goes back to the mainland. The book has two sequels: A Boy No More and Heroes Don't Run.

Characters

Adam Pelko

Adam is only sixteen, and he is the grandson of an Austro-Hungarian veteran of World War I. His father is a lieutenant in the US Navy.

At Pearl Harbor, Adam is mistaken for a sailor, and he serves in an ad-hoc unit for a while.

Davi Mori

Davi is Adam's friend, a Japanese-American boy, and the smart kid in Adam's class. Davi goes fishing with Adam and Martin on the morning of the attack.

During the bombings, Adam's feelings for him conflict, and he is torn between calling Davi friend or foe.

He often calls Adam "haole".

Martin Kahahawai

Martin is a Hawaiian, and he is wounded during the attack. He neraly dies, but he recovers.