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There's
more to 100 Days and 99 Nights than simple literary
entertainment. Author Alan Madison opens a dialog for discussing
war and its effects on everyday America. That this dialog
is created for children, parents, and educators makes it all
the more important.
Young
Esmerald Swishback McCarther has grown up a military brat,
having lived in Korea, Kenya, and Germany before settling
back home in the States. Esmeralda (or Esme, as she's usually
called), her brother Ike, and her mother share a close relationship
with Esme's father, a sergeant in the United States Army—a
relationship that includes making pancakes together every
weekend and adopting some of the sergeant's military mannerisms.
Rules
and routine govern the family, making every aspect of the
children's lives familiar and comfortable. However, the daily
routine derails when Esme's father is called away on a tour
of duty, and Esme must spend 100 days and 99 nights without
him. The three remaining McCarthers try their best to deal
with his absence, but nothing seems right after he leaves.
Tempers flare, attentions wander, and even the weekend pancakes
lose their flavor.
In terms
of voice, Madison is capable but not rock solid. The tone
fluctuates between lighthearted and grave without being overly
sentimental—a combination that is key to the book's effectiveness.
However, an absurd number of actions and descriptions are
made into hyphenated compound words: Esme "squeeze-closed"
her eyes or "fast-turned" into her room, she and her friends
"playground-played," and the dog "slow-walked" closer. Even
if this is meant to mirror children's speech, the hyphenations
are so awkward and frequent that they become distracting.
In terms
of content, however, Madison is difficult to fault. He wisely
keeps the story very realistic by focusing on the everyday
aspects of Esme's life: going to school, adding to her stuffed
animal collection, and spending time with her family and friends.
Esme is just like every other child, and life for her goes
on as it always has; the only difference is that her father's
absence is never far from her thoughts, affecting every action
and coloring every thought. She always suspects the worst
when other military children are called out of class unexpectedly
and dreads being called out herself to hear bad news about
her father.
But spunky
little Esme is also someone to admire, not only because she
feels so deeply but because she acts upon those emotions so
positively. Not satisfied with sitting at home and doing nothing
to help, Esme ignores naysayers of all ages and organizes
ways for her class to help in the war effort. In her own quiet
way, she shows that fear is the catalyst for bravery and helplessness
is not the only option.
With
the war continuing in the Middle East, 100 Days and 99
Nights is more than just a timely read. It is a very real
look into the thoughts and fears of children whose parents
are sent into battle every day. Those who can relate to Esme
and her family will be reminded that they are not alone, while
others may be enlightened by the sometimes imperceptible stress
that military children face. Though this is written for elementary
school-aged kids, 100 Days and 99 Nights is essential
reading for anyone who interacts with children on a regular
basis.
(September,
2008)
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