robdabear's review against another edition
4.0
Although I just picked this book up randomly at the library, I turned out to really like it. Purple Heart was almost like a good, short mystery set in the center of a war zone in current-day Iraq. The main character, Matt Duffy, a deployed soldier, wakes up in a military hospital. I will only elaborate by saying after his awakening, a mystery unfolds while still pointing out details of an Iraqi war-zone.
By reading the acknowledgements at the end, I truly believe the author (Patricia McCormick) went all-out to make this book as detailed and realistic as possible, by enlisting the help of real soldiers in Iraq, who, in her words, "Questioned and challenged my story to make it as realistic as possible."
The only dislike I had with this story was it's length. A relatively thin book, I finished it in about three days. The only time I would read it would be during breakfast or lunch, which would last about thirty minutes maybe. The book just seemed to be going by really fast.
But that one con isn't enought to outweigh my view, so in conclusion, I really enjoyed this short, fast story.
By reading the acknowledgements at the end, I truly believe the author (Patricia McCormick) went all-out to make this book as detailed and realistic as possible, by enlisting the help of real soldiers in Iraq, who, in her words, "Questioned and challenged my story to make it as realistic as possible."
The only dislike I had with this story was it's length. A relatively thin book, I finished it in about three days. The only time I would read it would be during breakfast or lunch, which would last about thirty minutes maybe. The book just seemed to be going by really fast.
But that one con isn't enought to outweigh my view, so in conclusion, I really enjoyed this short, fast story.
reagandrury's review against another edition
2.0
Not sure how to feel about it. It was intriguing but didn't stick with me.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
Several boys actually gushed about this book and how much they liked it. Always on the look-out for "boy" books I will add it to my list of one to recommend.
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-reading-underway.html
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-reading-underway.html
msethna's review against another edition
4.0
This book is on our summer reading list and I thought it reminded me of the memoir, Ghosts of War so I picked it up to read. The plot is simple. Matt Duffy is in the military in Iraq fighting for our country when something happens and he ends up in the hospital. He loses his memory and little by little the truth of what actually happened. Overall, a good quick read. If you like this, I highly recommend Ghosts of War as well!
penalew's review against another edition
4.0
Very good war book - I am guessing that most teens would like it, and it would likely even appeal to reluctant readers.
dalet3's review against another edition
3.0
For the most part I really liked the book - the characters were interesting, the environs well set and the slow reveal of the central plot mystery nicely constructed, but.. by the closing sections it started feeling a little too constructed, too much like it had a point to make and that if characters and events had to be bent to make it then so be it.
For my money, Sunrise Over Fallujah covered similar territory for a similar readership both with more heart and more guts.
For my money, Sunrise Over Fallujah covered similar territory for a similar readership both with more heart and more guts.
marydawnschuck's review against another edition
When private Matt Duffy wakes up in a military hospital in Iraq, he knows something bad has happened because his head hurts like crazy, but he can’t remember what happened. As pieces of his memory start to return, Matt struggles to make sense of it all.
Iowa Teen Award Nominee 2011-12
Iowa Teen Award Nominee 2011-12
bookworm_630's review against another edition
4.0
As always, Patricia McCormick has written another story that cuts right to the heart of an issue that is often ignored by ya books. And she does it so well! This is a look at what the teens who join up and go overseas to fight experience daily: the confusion, the fear, the uncertainty, and the disconnect from home ("regular" life). Highly recommend this!
tatted_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
Real rating is a 3 and 1/2 stars. Very sad novel that opened my eyes up to the horrors of war.