The Last Mission (Laurel-Leaf Historical Fiction) Mass Market Paperback – January 15, 1981

This is a great book. I read it in 7th grade for school and just happened to think of it one day when I was 27 years old, so I ordered it and read it again. I love it. Ve3ry illustrative text, you can almost visually imagine what is occurring throughout the story. When I was done I had a 50 year old co-worker read it and she loved it and was emotional in some parts. Suggested for any age, an easy read, will leave you thinking about how easy your life is.

I really enjoyed this book as a kid. Finally tracked it down as an adult. It's a very good read!

I suspect the author has a good insight into World War II and the feelings of the country at that time. The story is of an underage Jewish boy who enlists in the Army, winds up on a combat crew of a B-17 flying missions over Europe. His large size and appearance get him through the training and missions without detection and he functions well in the military. During that war I too was too young to go but grew up large and looked old enough. I remember walking down the street and people calling me 4-F and asking why I wasn't in uniform. I was only 15 at the time and felt ashamed. At that time everyone went. So different now when only a small percent of our young people serve and suffer and most of us go on as if nothing is happening.The boy in this story goes underage and does well. The author either went through the combat part of the story or listened to one who did. Well done. I think the conclusion was good and presented an excellent commentary on war which no one really listens to.

I liked how action packed it was. I would recommend this book to veterans and people who want to go to war but don't know what it is.

As a baby boomer and a writer of historical fiction for young people, I was thoroughly engaged by this novel. The characters are multi-dimensional and believable. The main character, Jack Raab, grows from a daydreaming fifteen-year-old into a soldier and a man, right before our eyes. While I am not an expert in WW II aeronautics, the vivid detail made my feel as though I was right there with them in their B-17. The language was very rough at times, normally not appropriate for younger readers, and I question whether all of it was necessary. However, it is definitely in context with the characters and their environment. I give it high marks, with the caveat that parents of younger readers should preview the novel to make certain it is appropriate for them to read.Lavern Holdeman, author of N.U.K.E.S.

My 13 year old son read this for his english class and he absolutely loved it.

I'm trying to "kindle" my children's love of reading. It would have been nice to include the exciting cover art in the kindle edition. It's lame that Laurel-Leaf, "an imprint of Random House Children's Books," couldn't manage that. It has boring generic cover.I'll raise my rating from 3 to 5 stars when my kindle edition gets updated with the proper cover art.My advice is when considering the kindle edition: always try the sample first. If the sample doesn't have proper cover art, don't buy it.The story is great! Excellent historical fiction.

Great novel I read when I was in high school. Got it for my 12 year old son. Reading level was listed as 12-17, but be aware there are swear words. Still recommend it for teenagers and up. Good point of view historical novel.

Read this back in highschool, now I read it at work,

Good book, my 13 year old likes it.

Good book

An engaging historical novel that highlights the realities of war. Much of what we discover about the life of Jack Raab, the protagonist are based on the personal experiences of the author as an under age member of the United States Airforce during World War 2.

My 12yr old son loved the book. He used it for a book review at school.