Testa, Maria. Almost forever. Candlewick Press (2003). ISBN-10: 0763633666

Plot Summary

Almost Forever is a narrative written in free verse and told from the perspective of a soldier’s child who is only six years old. After her father is called to serve as a doctor in the Vietnam War, she (along with her mother and brother) is forced to live through each day wondering if he will return. Every page tells a sorrowful story of the pain she suffers throughout the course of the year that he is away. And, although her father sends home letters daily, there does come a day when those letters stop.

Critical Evaluation

This book is very short, but tremendously engaging! Because the story is told in free verse from the perspective of child, it is simply written and easily understood. The author, Maria Testa, does a good job balancing desperation and fear with childlike nuances.

Reader's Annotation

In just 69 pages, Almost Forever takes the reader through one complete year of a 6-year-old’s life – the year her father was called to serve in the Vietnam War.

About the Author

Maria Tests was born in Hartford, Connecticut, but spent a significant portion of her childhood in (and around) Providence, Rhode Island. She earned bachelor’s degrees from Brown University in Sociology and American Civilization. She also holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Yale Law School. After spending many years in school, Testa moved to Ireland and became a writer. Today, she enjoys books, music, baseball, and all things Italian. And, she is still passionate about peace and justice.

Genre

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties

Social Studies, Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas

Watching a loved one called to serve in a war can never be easy. Maria Testa’s Almost Forever chronicles the experiences of a young girl and her family as they brave through a year of their lives waiting for Daddy to come home.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 9-12, Grades 2-7

Reason for Book Selection

Many children across our nation are experiencing the absence of a family member who is serving in the military (and the fear of possible deployment to Iraq). I chose this book because it ends positively when the young girl’s father returns. All too often that is not the case today.