The odd but compelling novel teeters somewhere between fantasy and historical fiction, SLJ calls it "magical realism". Martin time travels through his dreams to the blitz era of London to assist another boy in finding the truth to a personal mystery. The mystery reveals delicate secrets in England's war efforts and makes Martin question how history is written.
In the present, Martin is a student at fancy private school but after a bullying incident, he has been granted a semester off to do an extensive research project. His research is intertwined with the events in his dreams but is all pulled together in a fascinating conclusion for the present time conflicts as well as the events he is involved with in the war dreams.
Could be used as classroom discussion for WWII as well as more general discussion about how historical events are recorded and remembered.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
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I found London Calling to be a real page-turner, with the "magic" and "realism" well-blended. It's definitely a multileveled story, with throw-away musings about faith, family relationships, family myths, and historical myths. It's all there for readers to pick up or not--they enhance the story but don't impede the action. The central concern of time travel is also addressed, of course: if the traveler intervenes in past events, what is the impact on the future? A wonderful book for middle school.
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