War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo is about Joey, a farm horse owned by Albert and his family.  When trying to make ends meet, Albert's father sells Albert's beloved Joey to the soldiers of World War I.  Joey changes hands many times during the war, from one side of the conflict who uses him in the cavalry, to the other who uses him to pull heavy guns, to a young girl who does nothing but love him.  In the mean time, Albert has vowed to someday reunite with Joey.  He joins the army in hopes he'll run across Joey somehow.  And, amazingly, he does!  But, the story doesn't end here.  Joey develops tetanus, and is nursed through the illness despite all odds against him.  When the war ends, Joey is not able to return with the soldiers.  He is sold off as property of the army.  In the end Joey's journey comes full circle as those who love him make it possible for him to live out his days as he was meant to... as a farm horse.

This was a great book!  Admittedly, I was not eager to read this one, as I was expecting Joey to die in the end.  I was pleasantly surprised!  This story is told through Joey's perspective, which is really unique.  It is a story about how the was has impacted people and countries, but it doesn't choose sides.  It's a compelling read for anyone who enjoys a good story!

Truce by Jim Murphy

Truce by Jim Murphy is the true story about a very special incident that took place during World War I. World War I was basically fought between Germany and the "Allies" - A group of countries united against Germany. In the fall of 1914 The allies and Germany faced off along the border of France. Both sides dug long and deep trenches from which the soldiers fought, but also slept, ate, and lived. By Christmas of that year both sides were getting tired. So, in many places along this line of trenches, men from both sides came together in the middle the field in between (No Man's Land) to enjoy a temporary truce and celebrate Christmas together.

This was an amazing story. I don't know very much about World War I, and this book gave the perfect amount of background information so I understood the reasons all of it happened. I am amazed that these men were able to set aside their differences and literal hatred for one another to celebrate something so important. It gave many of the soldiers an opportunity to realize that the men they were fighting against were just like them.