Alice at the Home Front
Logline
"A strong-willed, patriotic young girl growing up during WWII dreams of being a war heroine in Tarantino's heartwarming tale... A story for children and adults, full of historical details and humorous anecdotes." - Kirkus Reviews
Genre
Children's,War
Short Summary
Alice, a ten year old patriot, wants to be part of the war effort by spotting enemy planes off the RI coast. Meanwhile, she dreams of becoming a war hero, folds bandages for the Red Cross after school, trails spies around town and encourages her playmate, a pilot, to join the Civil Air Patrol.
Alice doesn't hesitate to try joining the CAP, even though she doesn't know how to fly. The recruiter turns her down with a smile. One day, the CAP officer announces her playmate's plane has gone missing. Alice is furious at first, then she falls sick. Days pass with no word of the missing plane.
Setting
Providence, RI USA
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Plot - Other Elements
Other
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Alice
Age: 10-11
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Outspoken,Funny,Patriotic,Confident
Additional Character Details
Name: grandfather
Age: 70
Gender: Male
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Faithful,Skillful,Funny
Additional Character Details
Name: mother
Age: 45
Gender: Female
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Blunt,Honorable,Outspoken,Empathetic
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
To this author's knowledge, there is only one other book for children written about War II at the Home Front, USA. Here, ten-year-old Alice, patriotic and feisty, is determined to become an enemy plane spotter from her high window and against her mother's advice, while her Gramps remains sympathetic. U boats, are depositing spies, and Alice, mistakenly, chases and confronts the woman to no avail. After school, she folds bandages for the Red Cross but at night, Alice has nightmares of planes on fire, crashing all around her. Alice's former playmate, Jimmy, a pilot, joins the Civil Air Patrol and Alice, disguised as a boy, tries to join, but is refused as she doesn't know how to fly. Alice, dreaming of becoming a war hero, skips down the street singing war songs, (Any Bonds Today?) while dogs bark after her and drivers line up with their ration cards at the pumps. In the store, she watches amused, as a wealthy neighbor is refused a piece of meat for lack of enough ration stamps. She reprimands another girl for wanting to buy black market candy. One day, Alice hears the CAP officer announce Jimmy is missing, and is furious. She falls ill waiting. Days go by, and he returns safely. Jimmy gets a medal at the Awards Ceremony where Alice is finally recognized and awarded one as well, for her patriotism and persistence. Her mother, finally, is proud of her.