Plot+and+Conflict

Summary:

After 9/11, Robin, "Birdy" Perry does not care about what his father wants, but what he wants. His concerned father wants Robin to go to college but he wants to go to war instead. In truth he leaves Harlem and enters the Army. Birdy has never been in a place like Fallujah. Birdy begins to write letters to his Uncle Richie, who doesn't respond, to tell him about his experiences in Iraq. He also writes letters to his family who also don't reply as much either. The experiences Birdy shares with his friends from civil affairs helps him carry out is duties and fulfill his dream to be in the Army. The novel continues with Birdy finally understanding the meaning of "war" and why it is hard for some people to talk fully about it. All things about war are not always bad, but most of them aren't good experiences. From Robin's exposure to war, he has seen things like no other. Body bags, a boy shot in front of him, bombs and guns and all types of ammunition. The feeling of war is like tires screeching or fingernails down a chalkboard. No one wants to talk about it. No one wants to re-live their pain again. Nobody wants to cry in memory of their lost friend or loved one. This is tragedy, this is the biggest fear in everyones' hearts. The feeling that someone would harm your family or friends; it hurts, like heck. His father is a pretty smart man. Go to college like everyone else. Don't get shot. Live until you're eighty-six. He's got Robin's life figured out, until he changed it. Life as we know it, yep, is right there, flashing before our eyes in this beautiful book. The fighting and pain. The restless nights, thinking about that one life you could've saved in turn for your life. Captain Coles, Marla, Jonesy, and Birdy all head out to war and expect the unexpected. They know what they are in for but they never thought about anything like this. This war could never be over, until one side knows and understands, that peace will never come into reality until the fighting and conflict is done, over, gone, dead. What kind of person would //want// to go to the Army? This kind: Army Soldier-- *Definition*-- A man or woman who is willing to risk their lives for the sake of their country.

Created by: Meghna G. media type="custom" key="9606678" align="center"