A young boy must look after his sick mother and sister while his father and brother fight in World War I.

A young boy must look after his sick mother and sister while his father and brother fight in World War I.

Brent Hagen
Children’s Lit
March 15, 08
Historical Fiction
Once Upon America
Hero Over Here
By Kathleen V. Kudlinski

Just as WWI was coming to an end in 1918, the flu was spreading across the United States. There were no medicines to cure or treat it and the hospital space was
not sufficient. The flu exhibited high fevers, horrible coughing, vomiting, bloody noses diarrhea and quick deaths.
Theodore, the youngest brother dreams of being a hero in the war like his father and brother. Theodore is still at home with his mother and sister. Theodore and his friend George would find coal along the train tracks and sell it to poor families. Theodore had a dream of going to Montana and live the life of a cowboy. Each nickel or dime he received he saved for his trip one day. George had terrible news one day at school that his mother died of the flu. As Theodore reached his own door step Theodore was forced to face the dilemma that both his mother and sister were sick with the flu and he was forced to nurse them back to health. What ten year old is equipped to face such a situation. The story had the conflict of Theodore wanting to run away from the problem and his return to face the problem as a young man. With the help of a neighbor Theodore learned how to apply a mustard plaster, make milk toast, keep his mother and sister warm and clean. He grew up in short time and took on the role as the head of the house.
This book kept the reader on the edge of their seat as they watched Theodore grow from a boy to a young man in dealing with life’s sometimes harsh situations.