Grade 7-10-When Private Scott Collins’s journal begins, he is preparing, along with thousands of other young men, for D-Day, less than five weeks away. When it ends, Scott, now 18, is again waiting to cross the English Channel; he has been wounded in France and has been promoted to sergeant-not simply because he is a good soldier, but also because he has proven to be a “survivor,” when so many others have been killed. Readers observe Scott lose both his belief that the Allied invasion will end the war quickly and his innocence-he has seen hundreds die, some by his own hand. While no more graphic than the subject demands, this brief novel presents an accurate depiction of the horror of battle. The narrative voice is engaging and believable, with only a few lapses that sound like explanations provided for today’s readers. Scott emerges as a likable and realistic character, one who grows from youth to manhood in a matter of weeks. Young teens who appreciated Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line ought to be moved and drawn to the Journal as well. A short epilogue gives thumbnail sketches of the major players’ lives after wartime, and a photographic gallery helps set and expand the historical situation.
Coop Renner, Coldwell Elementary-Intermediate School, El Paso, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars good book
this book is about a 17 year old boy who is in one of world war 2s most famus fights. As scott Collins is fighting for survival at omaha beach . i think this was a good book for all readers !!!!!!! It is detaled well but not to much . I think it is one of those books that is just perfect from front to back. it is my favorite book !!
5 Stars Blunt nonfiction account of young troop thrust into Normandy
I bought copy at school bookstore and once it waa picked up, the reading never stopped. Poor English. Broken phrases. Awkward literary tome that spills the guts of young soldier thrust into storming of Normandy. He knows little at first about war but soon gets used to the drugery, fate, killing, and hardships. A first person account with dates. I am 69 and like the book more than most youngsters. Goes with Scott until he gets a fluke injury and returns to the States. A very vital part of the book tells what happens to him and many friends after they settle back down in
America. I find this a war gem. Highly Recommend. Easy read.
4 Stars An ok book
I did my report on My Name Is America: The Journal of Scott Pendelton Collins. This is a very good book but might not be appropriate for young readers, under the fifth grade.
This book is about, who is a soldier in World War II. He goes into D-Day, and loses friends on the way. He has to travel by foot, drive, and fight in many battles. He does this whil keeping a journal. He also writes letters to his mother and Annie, the girl of his dreams. He is always troubled with dying or losing a friend.
This was a very good book, appropriate for middle school readers. I’d give this a 9 out of 10. This was a classic story of a soldier in WWII.
5 Stars My Name is America Review
My Name is America is a serious book it is about an American soldier Scott Pendleton. I like this book because it has a lot of action and shooting Germans. I like this book because the shooting and explosion never stop. I also like this book because it felt like I was Scott shooting the Germans and driving the tank. Scott liked the new experience of the war but he did suffer a lot when he was shot. I will probably give this book five stars. So go get in your tank and drive to the book store.
5 Stars I dont know what to title this
i read The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins,a world war two soldier.i really liked this book,i give it a 5 star rating, its an interesting historical fiction book,if you are gonna do a historical fiction book report i recommend this book. I only recommend this book to those who like reading about wars or reading about journals.when i picked this book i thought it was going to be another boring old book but it wasn’t I just wanted to keep on reading this book, just to see what would happen to scott and all of the people in the war. In this book Scott tells of all his troubles while he is serving in the war. This book has some sad parts that make you want to cry and some happy parts that make you feal happy that he is alive.
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