Shooting at the Stars - by John Hendrix (Hardcover)

About the Book

In 1914 France, a British soldier writes to his mother about the strange events of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when German and Allied soldiers met on neutral ground to share songs, food, and fun. Includes historical notes, an archival photo, and glossary. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Discover the incredible true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 in this award-winning picture book from author and illustrator John Hendrix.

Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. In a letter to his mother, he describes how, despite fierce fighting earlier from both sides, Allied and German soldiers ceased firing that evening and came together on the battlefield to celebrate the holiday. They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even lit Christmas trees. But as the holiday came to a close, they returned to their separate trenches to await orders for the war to begin again.

Award-wining creator John Hendrix wonderfully brings the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 to life with his signature style, interweaving detailed illustrations and hand-lettered text. His telling of the story celebrates the humanity that can persist during even the darkest periods of our history.

"Hendrix crafts an intimate fictional account of the event . . . powerful images." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Review Quotes

"Soldier Charlie is affectionately depicted as a freckle-faced youngster among war-worn older men, and his status as a newcomer to battle lends credibility to the combination of playfulness and awe with which he regards the truce."-- "The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books" (12/1/2014 12:00:00 AM)

"While not shying away from war's grim realities, the pictures go a long way toward conveying the hopeful light of the German Christmas trees twinkling in the night while the strains of "Stille Nacht" waft across No Man's Land toward our homesick hero."--Roger Sutton "The Horn Book Magazine" (11/1/2014 12:00:00 AM)

STARRED REVIEW
"Few titles at this level convey the futility of World War I as well as this one does. A first choice."-- "School Library Journal, starred review" (7/1/2014 12:00:00 AM)

STARRED REVIEW
"Hendrix crafts an intimate fictional account of the event...powerful images."-- "Publishers Weekly" (9/15/2014 12:00:00 AM)

STARRED REVIEW
"The acrylic and gouache illustrations tell a tale of their own. Not only is this an impressive Christmas story, but it shows the humanity of warring soldiers."--Jo Drudge, Educational Reviewer, Rome City, Indiana "Library Media Connection" (1/1/2015 12:00:00 AM)

STARRED REVIEW
"Timed with the centenary of World War I but a lesson for always, Hendrix's tale pulls young readers close and shows the human side of war."-- "Kirkus Reviews, starred review" (8/15/2014 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

John Hendrix's books include John Brown: His Fight for Freedom, a Publishers Weekly Best Book and New York Public Library Top 100 Book, and Nurse, Soldier, Spy, by Marissa Moss, which received a Eureka! Children's Book Award and Booklist Editor's Choice Award. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.