Official Review: Wonks by William Reese Hamilton

[Kansas City Teacher]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Wonks" by William Reese Hamilton.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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As the Japanese Imperial Army unleashes its wrath on Allied forces in Manila during World War II, twelve-year-old Johnny and his mother find themselves imprisoned in an internment camp. With his father missing, presumed to be fighting the Japanese nearby, Johnny faces an uncertain future. Also in the camp are other civilians. Harry is a family friend whose stories provide relief and entertainment in an otherwise oppressive situation. Southy, a father figure, helps him hone his fighting skills. There is also Polecat, a street-smart youngster whose disdain for the “Japs” is palpable and enticing. As the war rages on in the Pacific, fear and misery sweep through the camp as they wait for the Allies to liberate them.

This narrative is told through the eyes of young Johnny, and this is what sets it apart from other books on the subject. While other novels focus on the historical aspects of the war, Wonks, by William Reese Hamilton, centers on the thoughts and experiences of this American adolescent. Little is written about American maneuvering strategy or the implications of liberation on Allied progression. What is written is what is important to a preteen; some examples include the different kinds of marbles, fascination with low-flying aircraft, and recovered war trophies. In one scene, one of the boys asks, “What happened to her arm?” This made me laugh because I believe that is actually what someone that age would ask.

The best part of this book is the voice. Given that this is a young adult book, it has a specific audience, and the author’s tone and character development work perfectly for his intended readers. Hamilton’s skilled and astute choice of words and phrasing effectively capture the emotions and points of view of the characters. The boys’ youthful phrases and insight provide a unique perspective into the monotony, anguish, and perpetual turmoil the boys face daily in the camp. Witty humor, adolescent sarcasm, and hefty doses of real emotion are sprinkled throughout each chapter. While there is abuse, torment, and a shortage of food, there are also different kinds of marbles, boxing lessons, and baseball. In the dawn of adulthood, Johnny wrestles with many questions. How many will die before help arrives? Will he survive? What has become of his father?

There is nothing I would change about the book. There is a harmonious balance between character development and plot, and although readers know the camp will eventually be liberated, there are many twists and turns that are markedly unexpected. Additionally, the book is professionally edited and contains no errors. For the crafty use of voice, engaging plot, and characterization, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars.

Wonks is an emotionally charged tale of one boy’s experience in a war camp at the hands of a ruthless and formidable enemy. I highly recommend this book to young adults who do not mind a moderate dose of profanity, which actually made it more realistic. It should also be noted that there are some descriptions of violence associated with the perils of war. This is not a light read, and it is not for people who are looking for a historical fiction novel with a lot of background information. Overall, this is a well-written narrative that will leave readers with a unique insight into the effects World War II has had on youth.

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Wonks
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[Michael40]

I love the fact that the book centers on the adolescent. It shows how great and deep the target audience can benefit from the author's industry. Great review!

[Finakaranja]

Great work! It gives a really good background of what to expect when reading the book and also captures the reader's attention. Based off this review, I definitely want to read this book.

[Kansas City Teacher]

I love the fact that the book centers on the adolescent. It shows how great and deep the target audience can benefit from the author's industry. Great review!

Thank you! It's easy to forget that they also have deep feelings and think differently than we do.

[Kansas City Teacher]

Great work! It gives a really good background of what to expect when reading the book and also captures the reader's attention. Based off this review, I definitely want to read this book.

Thank you! Definitely a different perspective!

[Edwin Amah]

I love the idea of not making the book about the war ongoing but the author centred more on the characters and how the war affected them.

Nice write up by the reviewer. He made me see reasons to love the storytelling style.

[Brenda Creech]

WWII as seen through the eyes of a twelve year old-- what a unique concept! I can only imagine the thoughts and fears of a young boy in such a situation! Thanks for the excellent review!

[AntonelaMaria]

It is rare to find historical fiction books beyond world war II set in Europe. I like that fact and that it is a hard-hitting book. However, I'm recently more reluctant to pick up young adult books. Thank you for this informative review. Good job.

[Asma Aisha Ansari]

I agree with you that a story about war told from the perspective of a young person would be so different than other war stories. The story will be unique and refreshing as a result.
Thanks for this wonderful review

[Yvonne Monique]

As my father was imprisoned in a Japanese war camp in Indonesia, I have heard plenty of stories about the camps and the cruelty of the Japanese guards. I wonder if the author wrote this book based on his own experiences (or of a family member).

[Deval Sodha]

This book is an emotionally charged tale of a boy’s experience in a war camp at the hands of a ruthless and formidable enemy. Wow thats an amazing topic addressed through a different perspective.
The review is awesome.
Congratulations on Botd

[DEEPA PUJARI]

This is a book about a young boy who is taken prisoner during world war 2. It’s a story of hope. Congratulations BOTD!

[Bertha Jackson]

It is rare to see a book about the impact war has on a child. The fear he must have felt when he and his mother are placed in a war camp and not knowing where his father is. This is an intriguing book. Thank you for your review.

[Aan Granados]

As someone from the Philippines, this book intrigued me. The author grew up in the Philippines so this gives credibility to the book. Thanks for your review.

[NetMassimo]

This seems like an interesting coming-of-age story deeply tied to a defining period of the world's recent history, as it tells of the impact of war on youth. Thank you for your great review!