Jump Into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall

Jump Into the Sky Reviews

• 
  Kristina Cardoza

  SUMMARY
  
  Jump into the Sky by
  Shelley Pearsall was a great historical fiction book! It's 1945 in Chicago, and 13-year-old Levin Battle is being left--again! First his mother ran away, then his brave father was enlisted, so the government took him to serve in the U.S. army, then his new guardian, his grandmother, left (entirely), and he was stuck with his strict Aunt Odella, and now she wants him to leave and go to the place that his father was stationed--down South! When Levi gets there, he finds out that his father has been moved to Oregon! Now he's on a quest across the United States to find his father, and encounters many difficulties involving race along the way... What will Levi do, and can he survive the harsh treatment outside Chicago?
  
  ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  I was very surprised that the author, Shelley Pearsall, was not African American. Ms. Pearsall did an outstanding job of describing the past--from an African American boy's point of view! The author mostly writes historic fictions about people and their struggles. Other books written by Ms. Pearsall are Trouble Don't Last, All Shook Up, All of the Above, and Crooked River. For more information about the author, visit
  shelleypearsall.com.
  
  MY OPINION
  I really liked this book! It was a remarkable African American historical novel for ages 10 and up. It is a wonderful adventure story focusing on the life of a boy about my age. If you enjoy learning about the past as I do, you will truly enjoy this story. It's a great way for kids to see how African Americans were treated in the 40s. I couldn't have imagined living in the South in the 1940s. This book, through the eyes of Levi, showed me a glimpse of what my life might have been like in that era since I'm half black--it makes me appreciate the life that I have today even more. It's amazing how different it was when Levi traveled from the Northern to the Southern states. The end of the story filled me with pride and made me feel like I, too, can be that brave and stand up for what is right despite the dangers it might cause!
  
  **I received a copy of this eBook for free from Random House Children's Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I received no other compensation.**
  
  
  Jump Into the Sky book review on KC's Best Reviews and More
  
  
  Kristina Cardoza
• 
  Margo Tanenbaum

  In her new historical novel Jump into the Sky, award-winning historical fiction author Shelley Pearsall explores a little known footnote in World War II history--the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the first black paratrooper unit in the U.S. Army.
  
  The story of the 555th unfolds through the eyes of thirteen-year old Levi, who's been living with his aunt in Chicago while his father serves in a secret Army mission. It's May, 1945, and the war is drawing to close. Levi's aunt decides to send him off by train to stay with his father at his dad's last known address, an army post in North Carolina. Not only does his father not know he's coming, Levi arrives in the Jim Crow South without a clue as to the behavior expected of a "colored boy" and almost gets himself killed for trying to buy a Coke at the wrong store. And to make things more difficult, his father's unit has been sent all the way to Oregon. Will Levi have to go back to his aunt, who doesn't want him any more, or will he be able to find his father in Oregon? And will his father survive the dangerous mission assigned to the 555?
  
  This novel is a powerful story of racism and courage in the not-too-distant days of the Jim Crow South and a segregated American military. Although the main characters of Levi and his father are fictitious, the novel is carefully researched and many of the incidents described really happened, including the scene at the country store with the Coca Cola. Moreover, the novel is peppered with colorful real soldiers from the 555th, including "Tiger Ted" Lowry, who once fought Joe Louis in an exhibition match. An author's note describes how she first learned of this battalion, which was part of a secret operation to protect the U.S. from Japanese balloon bombs. This balloon bombing strategy of the Japanese is certainly a "truth is stranger than fiction" story. Pearsall was fortunate to interview a veteran of the unit, Walter Morris. Further details on the 555th can be found at the unit's website, triplenickle.com.
  
  I would highly recommend this book to middle schoolers looking for a good adventure story that brings a little known part of World War II history to life.
  
• 
  Christina Getrost

  Another winner from author Shelley Pearsall. It's 1945, and 13 year old Levi, after living three years in Chicago with his aunt, is suddenly sent away by her to live with his father on an Army base in South Carolina. Levi hasn't seen his father in three years, only has the occasional cryptic letter sent from a myriad of Army bases. But Levi is hopeful, despite being very nervous to travel alone for the first time on a train through the segregated South, that his dad will be glad to see him and their relationship will take up right where it left off. Unfortunately, when Levi arrives, his father is gone! Shipped out! The only person still on Base is Cal, a buddy of his dad's whose injury prevented him from shipping with his crewmates. So Levi has to figure out if he can stay here or how he'll find his dad, and is it true what Cal is saying, that Levi's father jumps out of airplanes? Really? An all-African-American paratrooper squadron? Levi's never heard of such a thing!
  
  Based on the true-life stories of the 555th "Triple Nickle" squadron, and full of great period detail, memorable characters, action and humor, told by a warm and funny teen character you'll love to meet. At times this book reminded me of "Bud Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis, in its tone and the sweet funny nature of Levi.
• 
  Barbara

  It's 1945 and WWII seems to be winding down. The aunt with whom he has been living in Chicago decides that it's time for the father of thirteen-year-old Levi Battle to do his part. It might seem cruel for her to send Levi out on his own in that way, but the author makes it clear that Aunt Odella has spent so much of her life taking care of others that she has little time for herself. Levi takes a train from Chicago to Washington, D.C., and then on North Carolina where his father is stationed. He learns first hand about segregation, prejudice, and hatred along the way where even the simple act of buying a soft drink in Fayetteville can have disatrous consequences. After Levi realizes that his father's squadron has relocated to Pendleton, Oregon, he is befriended by a kind-hearted couple, Cal and Peaches. Not only do they provide him a home, but they bring him along when Cal is sent to Pendleton too to join the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the nation's first African-American paratroopers. The relationship between father and son may have been a bit bumpy as might be expected, but the author creates several likeable characters and tells the story of a ground-breaking military unit while also capturing perfectly the flavor of those times and the different forms in which prejudice existed. It's hard not to root for Levi and wish for him to have a happily ever after.
• 
  Becky

  It's been years since I've read a Shelley Pearsall novel, but I remember really loving those that I've read in the past. I really liked Jump Into the Sky. I'm not sure that I absolutely loved it. But it was a really good read. I just LOVED the main character, Levi Battle. I really loved his narrative voice, and I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes. I enjoyed many of the characters, I especially liked Cal, Peaches, and baby Victory. (I loved hearing their love story!) I was so happy that this couple was able to open their hearts and home to Levi when he really needed someone--anyone--to care. And I was pleased that Levi had the opportunity--at last--to get to know his father.
  
  The book was set during the last months of World War II, and it was an interesting read. I enjoyed learning about this historical period. I didn't know about the balloon bombs OR the African American paratroopers. So that was good.
  
  I enjoyed the characters, the writing, the details great and small.
• 
  Abby Johnson

  I like a little-known historical fiction story as much as the next person, but it was like I kept waiting for the story to get exciting and it kept ALMOST getting exciting, but then meandering away to something else. Levi's voice wasn't strong enough for me to enjoy the book on his character alone and the plot meandered too much to be compelling. Part of my disappointment might be with the cover and title, both of which seem to promise a lot of wartime action, which is not necessarily the fault of the author, but I don't feel like the insides matched. So... it was okay? I think teens who enjoy a more leisurely-paced historical fiction would probably like it, or anyone with a special interest in the lives of African Americans on the WWII homefront.
  
  Readalikes:
  
  BUD NOT BUDDY by Christopher Paul Curtis for the historical (1930s) adventures of a young black boy traveling on his own.
  
  FLYGIRL by Sherri Smith for another story about African Americans on the homefront during WWII.
• 
  David

  Katherine read this to me on the road. It is a very well written story of a young African American boy trying to link up with his father serving with the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (Triple Nickle) during WWII. The injustice of racism is clearly demonstrated, while the sacrifice made by those who served is highlighted. A GREAT read, very easy flowing book but one that will make you think and be very grateful for those who served ahead of us. The Paratrooper humor is well done!
• 
  Nancy

  This is a great historical novel. I really love the endnote in which the author tells how the book was researched with interviews and which details were taken from real life. The book is based on a little known fact about WWII. A positive male African American character.
• 
  Chris

  Historical fiction about a boy being sent to live with his father who is a member of the first African American paratroopers, the 555th Triple Nickles. Very true to the time period and the events of the 555th.
• 
  Ann

  really liked it
• 
  Laura

  Text to Self- It was amazing to me read about the triple nickels and their impact on our country. I had never heard about the troop and actually looked up information to make sure it was real. It was sad to hear the treatment of the troops were not equal as troops that were white.
  1. Why did Levi have to leave Chicago?
  2. Explain why Levi had to sit in a separate section of the train once he entered the South?
  3. What questions would you ask the general store owner who attacked Levi?
  4. Why do you think Cal and Peaches allowed Levi travel across country with them?
  5. What is your opinion with the author having one of the members of the triple nickels get killed during their last mission?
  6. How do you predict Levi’s life will turn out now that he is rejoined with his father Charles?
  
  (2012, September 1). School Library Journal.
  http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...
  
• 
  Sandy Brehl

  Heard of the Tuskegee Airmen? Most have, but few stories have been told of the segregated paratroop group, the "triple nickels", or 555th group who never made it off the continent into the war, despite training and excellence. The central character, Levi, is a thirteen year old Chicago kid who has been left behind all his life. He is launched into many rude awakenings as WWII nears its end and he finds himself leaving the familiar turf of his neighborhood, learning to deal with Jim Crow racism, his absent father, sorting out truths from assumptions and stories, and finding out if he is even capable of trusting or believing anyone who matters.
• 
  Robin

  I really liked this book. It was the story about the 555th in WWII. It was about black/white relations in different parts of the country. As a teacher, it would be a book that I would read/discuss with middle school students. I was very impressed with Pearsall's historical narrative.
• 
  Msjodi777

  An excellent story, made even better by the perfect narrator.
• 
  Philip Guzman

  I read books with my special needs son as part of our time together. We recently completed reading "Jump Into the Sky" and loved it. It is a very special book which tracks the life journey of one young thirteen year old African American boy during the last year of World War II. From his home in Chicago, he travels about the country to reunite with this army father - first to the Jim Crow South where he experiences for the first time the hatred and bigotry that is, sadly, still found in the hearts of many today. His travels continue to the western part of the country, as do his life-changing experiences.
  
  It is a book about growing up, bonding with a missing parent, the heartaches of abandonment, bigotry in its truest and ugliest forms in the old South, and the ironies of serving your country and still being faced with the hatred of your fellow citizens. . . The book masterfully blends these themes -- but not in a heavy-handed way -- but with much humor and sage thinking by a boy who is wise in the ways of the world well beyond his years. . . . My son and I laughed and cried with the many wonderful characters who are encountered in this book.
  
  The book is listed for a "YA" reader, but I believe that it blends historical fiction, life-lessons, and humor and is so well-written that it should be considered splendid reading material for people of all ages, not simply young adults. . . . The book is especially relevant in today's times where hatred, bigotry, and the like are back in the news (not that these themes have ever left us!) following the riots and death in Charlottsville, VA and the responses of all people on all sides of the political spectrum. . . Pick up this book! You will learn much, not only about the 555 African-American Paratroop Division during World War II, but about family, and living together in harmony, as well.
• 
  Erika Reynolds

  The history behind this story (as mentioned in the author’s note at the end) is fascinating, and the plot has the potential to be intriguing, but there’s just no action. I can get past the lack of war action, because that isn’t really what the story is about anyway, but the author missed a lot of opportunities to show the reader how tough and heartbreaking life was for people of color in the Jim Crow south. Levi is a sweet enough character, but he doesn’t speak like any 13 year old I’ve ever heard—and I should know, considering I teach the 8th grade. It made him feel out of touch. His character isn’t particularly well developed, and I found myself not really caring one way or the other where he ended up. My takeaway: this book has an extremely engaging and misleading description. If you’re reading based on that, you aren’t going to get what you’re looking for.
• 
  Ms. Heres

  Levi is accustomed to being left...by his mom when he was a baby and by his dad and he took on odd jobs and left him with his aunt. However, he isn't prepared to be told by his aunt that he will be boarding a train and going to stay with his dad in North Carolina where he is stationed in the army. He hasn't seen his dad in three years...and his dad hasn't been told he's coming. Levi leaves Chicago, the only thing that has been consistent in his life, and heads south where things are very different for people with his skin color and where he doesn't know the "rules".
• 
  Johnny Bell

  Loved this book! It was interesting to learn about another all-black military unit, the 555 ("Triple Nickels"). The history and experiences of a young boy growing up quickly were breath-taking. I can't wait to share this novel with my students as a book study.
  
  "Watching those little bitty pieces fly away got me thinking about how nice it would be if your color was something you could take off whenever you felt like it. What if you could crack open your skin like a peanut shell and toss it away whenever you needed to be free of it?"
  
• 
  Elease C

  Touching