Sarah's War Journal

by Cameron Glenn

In the near future Washington D.C. has been bombed. From the rubble, Sarah, a teen, finds a notebook and begins a journal, writing of some of the horrific experiences she’s endured.

Genres: Young Adult

88 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2012

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I was given this book in an exchange for an honest review**

I'd give this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. There were some grammar and typographical errors, but not enough for me that it took away from the book. I was easily able to figure out what was meant. I wouldn't let anyone under the age of 17 or so read the book because there is a lot of really dark stuff that happens, as it usually does in post-apocalyptic books.

The story is written in diary form by a 16-year-old girl who's trying to keep her younger sister and her alive after the U.S. was bombed. It seemed believable and I thought overall it was a good book. A quick read.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Star Rating: 3.5

First of all I was leaning towards the book as being a 4-star. It started off quite strong and had a lot of promise then started a slow fluttering downwards.

Sarah started off as a strong character but afterwards ended up just a plain teen. She rambles, doesn't have a strong will nor discipline. Basically it depends on what part of the book you are reading as she varies. Other characters held promise but hadn't been worked on at all besides a passing glance.

There wasn't much plot due to the rambling thought processes. What was included was strong, descriptive and with the right emotional vibes.

Finally the end was so-so as it doesn't really have a complete end. Unlike "The Giver", though, there is a more ending note while you know the route the story will more or less follow.

The last thing I just want to make a note of is the spelling. There were lots of room to work on editing unless that was how it was meant to read. One name was constantly misspelled while a wrong name was used at least once.

**Please note; I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.**

[Gypsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this book read more often like a first person story (including dialog) rather than the journal of a 16 year old girl fighting for survival. This story is full of brave adolescents, who do what they can to survive. Sarah is a very brave and nostalgic teenage girl, who spends a lot of time pondering things. I liked the internal debates and view points she expressed on religion, politics, and so forth. However, I wish it had gotten more into the daily life of survival rather than ruminating on her past life and rambling on about what could be. Overall, I felt the writing had a great descriptive quality about it, and got better as it went on (I felt it picked up about halfway through). I enjoyed the story for what it was, and am glad to have read it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah's war Journal is a wonderful read about a girl that lived through a major event. Sarah was able to talk about everything that happened in great detail. I feel that this book had a strong start and weakened in the middle, but it picked up toward the end. I loved this story, this is one of my top favorite books from Cameron Glenn.

[Wolfreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the events here now in 2020 this dystopian vision of a world post nuke war and rise of fascism, sadly, does not seem so far fetched anymore. This is a great, interesting quick little novel of the struggle of a teen in dire times (like now). The writing is good.

[Bookguy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a "journal" from a post world war world by a girl struggling to survive. The writing is good. It's scary how close we are to another war right now.