The Button War

“Captures the ways that war can forever alter a child’s sense of order, morality, and security in the world. Strongly visual scenes . . . will long resonate in readers’ minds.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Twelve-year-old Patryk knows little of the world beyond his tiny Polish village; the Russians have occupied the land for as long as anyone can remember, but otherwise life is unremarkable. Patryk and his friends entertain themselves by coming up with dares — some more harmful than others — until the Germans drop a bomb on the schoolhouse and the Great War comes crashing in. As control of the village falls from one nation to another, Jurek, the ringleader of these friends, devises the best dare… Keep Reading