"Collins mines her own experience to tell a tender, personal story of war seen through a child's eyes. Firstgrader Suzy's father is deployed to Viet Nam. At first, though she misses him, she dreams of the exotic jungle. But as the year goes on, marked by Christmas trees and candy hearts, things get harder. His postcards arrive less and less frequently, while news of the war, and its real dangers, comes more and more often. In the end Suzy's father returns, and while some things are different, some things are the same. Collins' unflinching first-person account details the fears and disappointments of the situation as a child would experience them. And where more realistic illustrations would feel overwrought and sentimental, Proimos's flat, cartoony drawings, with their heavy lines and blocky shapes, are sturdy and sweet, reflecting a child's clear-eyed innocence. While small, personal details and specific references to Viet Nam fix the story in one child's individual experience, it is these very particularities that establish the kind of indelible and heartfelt resonance to be universally understood. Indeed, children missing parents in all kinds of circumstances will find comfort here." - "Booklist "starred review

Suzanne Collins is the author of the groundbreaking Hunger Games trilogy for young adults: "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." She is also the author of an upcoming picture book, "Year of the Jungle," and the "New York Times" bestselling Underland Chronicles series for middle grade readers, which started with "Gregor the Overlander." Suzanne lives with her family in Connecticut. You can find her online at suzannecollinsbooks.com. James Proimos is the creator of "Swim! Swim!," "Knuckle and Potty Destroy Happy World," "12 Things to do Before You Crash and Burn," and many more books for children of all ages. He lives on a farm outside of Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife and their horses, cats, and dogs. Learn more at jamesproimos.blogspot.com.