Mare's War
by Tanita S. Davis

    MARE'S WAR by Tanita S. Davis
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  6/9/09
    Publisher:  Knopf
    Reviewed by:  Amber Gibson
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Going on a road trip with their wacky grandmother, Mare, is not at all how either Octavia or Tali wants to spend
    their summer. However, at Mare’s insistence, they reluctantly agree to accompany her all the way across the country
    for some mysterious family reunion in Alabama.

    The girls don’t know how they will survive all of this time cooped up together with each other and with Mare. Before
    they even leave the driveway, Mare is already driving Tali crazy with her smoking and Tali’s headphones are equally
    unacceptable to Mare. The two make a pact to banish cigarettes and headphones for the trip, and do a pretty good
    job of keeping their word.

    To whittle away the hours as Mare drives, she tells stories of her younger years. Both Tali and Octavia are
    astonished to hear some of Mare’s stories about growing up in the Great Depression and running away from home to
    serve in the WAC (Women’s Army Corps) during World War II. Mare’s struggles at home made joining the army
    seem like a wonderful proposition. The army provided a place to live where she would be safe from harm and fed
    three good meals a day.

    However, even though the WAC helped defeat the enemy in Europe, the segregation that Mare and the colored
    soldiers in 6888th Battalion, Company C face proves much harder to vanquish. Nevertheless, Mare’s tough spirit
    and pride from her army days will always remain an integral part of who she is. After all she has been through, it is no
    wonder Mare thinks Octavia and Tali are spoiled.

    By the end of this trip, all three women grow closer and develop a newfound appreciation and respect for one
    another.

    Tanita S. Davis weaves a thoughtful tale, alternating chapters between the modern day road trip and Mare’s stories
    of the olden days. Readers who enjoyed Sherri L. Smith’s FLYGIRL will also love this tale with a similar historical
    background.