 | Second in command Author: Van, Sandi | |
| Price: $13.41 | ||
Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Leo dreams of becoming an Eagle Scout and, someday, a police officer. He makes sure to always do the right thing and be responsible. With his mom deployed and his dad constantly working, Leo is often left in charge of his two younger siblings. Leo's brother, Jack, gets caught up in a dangerous plot that rocks the community. Can Leo keep his promise to stand by his brother no matter what, or will he stand on the side of justice?
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 02/01/2019 Gr 8 Up—Sixteen-year-old Leo and his siblings know what it's like to move so many times they're not sure where they're from originally. They know what it's like to live without a mother for months at a time. Luckily, in their town, there are many other military families. There's a support group for kids to go and talk about their concerns, or just hang out and meet others in similar circumstances. Leo loves the duties, responsibilities, and comradeship available through his Boy Scout membership. This interest in service has led him to apply to the Summer Youth Police Academy. His dream of gaining acceptance into the program is threatened when his younger brother, an angry and troubled adolescent, gets into trouble with the law. Left in charge after his mother is deployed, Leo fulfills his schoolwork while also taking on cooking, cleaning, and watching over his younger siblings. His joys, fears, and confusion are expressed in meditative verse—some entries as brief as one sentence. Teens overwhelmed by a parent called up for active duty will connect with this quick read that depicts young people confronting life without the benefit of a consistent parental presence. VERDICT This novel in verse is recommended for reluctant readers, especially in areas where there is a large military population.—Denise Kim, Bronx High School of Science, NY - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
