Ahmad Akbarpour

Good Night, Commander is a raw tale of a boy who lost his leg in a war. The story deals with him coping over losing his leg, and the death of his mother. Good Night, Commander is very realistic and deals with heavy themes of death, war, grief, being an amputee, and insecurity to name a few. However, this book shouldn't be hidden from children; as it shows the true reality for some children around the world. Many children do not get a choice of when they learn the harsh truths of the world. A teacher or parent can read this and explain so a child understands the story wholly. Also the illustration for this story is unique, as it looks like a child drew it or cut it out of cardboard. This gives credence to book as the narrator is a child, the reader is seeing the world through his eyes. Overall Good Night, Commander is a powerful book; one that could bring awareness to many people.… (mais)

A little boy, who lives in Iran during the war, relives the sad moments when he lost his mother and his leg in the war. Although he has been through a great deal of emotional distress, he stays brave as he pretends to save his mother in his reenaction in his bedroom. On his quest to save his mother he meets another young boy who has also lost a leg. This young boy is pointing a gun at the main character, yet they do not shoot each other as they bond, in a way, over both having lost a leg. Filled with, to me, disturbing drawings of war, filled with guns and blood, I would not choose to read this to the intended age because of its gory nature.… (mais)

This book is the type of book that makes you want to take the main character in your arms and just hug him and tell him it will all be okay. This book is about a little boy who lost his leg because he lives in a war zone. He was with his mother when he lost his leg, and she died that day an did not make it. The little boy is not playing war in his room, and he is the commander because he wants to avenge his mother's death. His mother's picture hangs on the wall, and her picture speaks to him telling him that he is a good commander and loving son. One strong factor of the book is the illustrations. The book is illustrated by an adult, but all of the images look as if they were done by the little boy himself. This book is a good way to introduce the concept of PTSD in children to students who have never heard of it. Clearly, the boy is grieving his mother's loss, and recreates war scenes in his room, even though he is still living in a war zone himself right outside his door.… (mais)