Jump Into the Sky

Jump Into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall is a story about a thirteen year old boy who is sent on a cross-country journey in search of his absentee father. Levi is used to people leaving him but he never expected his aunt to oust him into the world at such a young age. After little preparation, he is sent south on a train into an entirely new culture. The year is 1945 and segregation is the way of life in the south. Upon reaching a U.S. Army post in North Carolina, Levi discovers his father received orders only days before to ship out to another post. Still unsure that his father is even serving in the military, he meets another soldier in the 555th Infantry who takes him in and promises he will help deliver him to his father. Will Levi ever find his father and if reunited, will he only be left behind again?

This book is centered around mostly men and their interactions. Based on the time period it is set in, I expected women to be place in the background and into a demeaning role. Fortunately, the author does a great job of placing women into a role of respect. Levi's aunt appears mostly in the beginning of the story and is shown as nurturing but stern; exactly how one would picture a "typical mother." Later in the story, Peaches is depicted in the same way. Both are placed in roles that give a good representation of the time. This is a story full of possibility. There are lessons that can be learned both in the classroom and out. This story shows the level of hope possible in teenagers, even in situations where hope has been dashed.

Below are some resources for further research and information. The first is the website for Shelley Pearsall listing other books and information on those books. She writes only historical fiction at this time. The second is more information on the Triple Nickels (555th Infantry).

Shelley Pearsall Website

Triple Nickels

This is a documentary style video with a man who joined the Triple Nickels.