Sheryl O’Sullivan (Children's Literature)
Newbery Award winning author Richard Peck begins his new historical fiction book with the words, “Before the war the evenings lingered longer, and it was always summer when it was not Halloween or Christmas.” This line sets the stage for a coming of age story of Davy Bowman who is growing up during World War II and watching his older brother go off to war. Peck manages to make this book funny, gripping, and thoughtful all at the same time. In addition, since Davy’s brother is serving in World War II, Davy’s father was injured in World War I, and one of his elderly acquaintances can remember the Civil War, this novel offers a provocative commentary on the meaning of war in general. Peck’s signature quirky-but-wise older characters help Davy make sense of a chaotic time and grow toward maturity. The author uses actual war slogans of the time, a realistic small town Illinois settings, and believable dialog to make a by-gone era come alive and have poignant relevance for young readers of today. This is a wonderful book for pure enjoyment, and could also be useful in social studies classrooms studying United States history. 2007, Dial Books/Peguin, $16.99. Ages 8 to 12.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 1))
It always seemed to be summer in Davy Bowman’s Illinois town; his street was his world. In epic games of hide-and-seek, Davy would ride toward home base on brother Bill’s shoulders or in the crook of his father’s good arm. And every Halloween, Earl Bowman, in Grandma Dowdel–like fashion, exacted revenge on neighborhood bullies. Early episodes give way to rich stories—poignant and humorous—about the weight of war as it wrapped around the shoulders of the Bowmans. It was “the duration,” not really real life, just waiting for Bill to return from his B-17 missions over Germany. In the meantime, Davy and his friend Scooter gather scrap metal, newspapers and milkweed for the war effort, the Chicago mob attacks Mr. Bowman and ancient Eulalia Titus teaches Davy’s class with a firm hand (and strategically placed rattraps). Peck’s skill at characterization is unsurpassed; Earl Bowman is as memorable as any previous character. Scenes are so well crafted they beg to be read aloud. An ode to a father, a big brother and an era captured by a writer at his peak. 2007, Dial, 160p, $16.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 10 up. Starred Review. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2007)
Peck gives readers a nostalgic glimpse into the American heartland during World War II. He's all about setting here, using Davy Bowman as the voice to describe the scene: a town that remembers the horrors of the preceding war but nonetheless supports the present one. Davy's idols, his father and his brother, begin and end as heroes, creating a weak arc. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2007, Dial, 148pp, 16.99. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Geri DiOrio (VOYA, April 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 1))
Davy Bowman's life in 1941 is as comfortable and happy as can be. His two heroes are his father, a fun-loving and kind World War I veteran, and his older brother Bill, soon to be a B-17 pilot. When Pearl Harbor is bombed, Davy's world changes but not dramatically. This story is Peck at his gentlest. Davy's world now includes victory gardens, rubber and paper drives, hunts for scrap metal, new teachers, and opportunistic boy scouts (who grab paper right out from under the cub scouts who have gathered it). Davy knows that the war means that his brother might not come home. There is alarm near the end of the story, but this mild-mannered tale offers no real scares, just a touching view of the home front through the eyes of a young boy. Peck is a master. His language is lovely, his story has great depth, and his humor is always apparent, even in a wartime novel. This book made this reviewer laugh out loud and get misty-eyed all in one sitting. Adults who may have been Davy might love this reminiscence, and grade school history teachers could certainly use it as read-aloud for class. But the story is so slow and safe and contains so many contextual references to the 1940s that one might wonder who the audience really is. Give it to the wisest of readers-the ones who are old enough to know some World War II history and who are not put off by a young protagonist. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2007, Dial, 160p., $16.99. Ages 11 to 18.

Lucy Freeman, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, April 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 1))
On the Wings of Heroes is a short novel, and Peck packs a whole lot into it. Readers will be laughing one paragraph and tearing up the next, but Peck's masterful language does not make the story "jump around" with its emotions. Despite the World War II setting, readers can connect to the events and emotions of many characters. Although the characters suffer from a bit of flatness, the story will delight many readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2007, Dial, 160p., $16.99. Ages 11 to 18.