The Small War of Sergeant Donkey by Maureen Daly


The Small War of Sergeant Donkey
Title : The Small War of Sergeant Donkey
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1883937477
ISBN-10 : 9781883937478
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 87
Publication : First published January 1, 1966

Donkeys by the hundreds! Twelve-year-old Chico Filippo, whose own donkeys were confiscated years before by the German army, can t stay away from the newly set up American Remount Depot. Here, in the last months of World War II in Italy, thousands of supply mules and donkeys are processed and sent onto the fierce mountain fighting in the Apennines. One of the handlers introduces Chico to a small courageous animal the boy names Sergeant Donkey. Drawn into friendship and then into unexpected danger, Chico must demonstrate his own simple courage. More than an animal or war story, this short book has a depth of truth about people of different ages and nationalities who still share a common love of the land and of human dignity. Age 8-up"

The Small War of Sergeant Donkey Reviews

  • Karen

    Entertaining book. Learning about WWII using an Italian boy and a donkey.

  • Meredith Henning

    Great story, a little slow off the mark, but finished with a bang! The kids really enjoyed it!

  • Patty Welsh

    Good for 4th grade book report.

  • Michelle Rogers

    This was a good WW2 story of the small war of Sergeant Donkey, Chico and Sergeant Missouri. We enjoyed reading it together as a family. I would have give it 5 stars if it was just a little longer, perhaps had an epilogue the tell a little more of the tale.

  • Sarah Brazytis

    This is a darling WW2 read!

    Synopsis: Young Chico is lonely - for his farm, for the animals taken by the Germans, for his lost parents and grandfather, and for the old life in general. But that's before a certain sergeant from Missouri comes into his life. When 'Sergeant Missouri' finds himself in danger, will Chico's love for his new friend give him the courage to do the impossible?

    What we loved:
    Chico - he's a dear boy! He tries so hard to be the 'man of the family' for his sisters and brother, and he's so brave and such a true friend!
    Sergeant Missouri - he represents America well. Kind, strong, brave...and just your ordinary American boy, all at once.

    What we hated:
    That the Germans destroyed so many lives - sniff!

    What made us laugh:
    Sergeant Missouri finds Chico napping in the sun when they first meet, decides to 'tuck him in bed with a prayer': "Now I lay me down to sleep..." and wakes him up instead! Also, any scene with the adorable Brother Honeycake is full of humour!

    What made us cry:
    There is a deep sweetness to the relationship between the sergeant and Chico - a big brotherliness, mixed with comradeship and a shared love of farming, animals and the land. It's very moving.

    Warnings and Caveats:
    The sergeant smokes in one scene.
    The Italian characters are Catholic, so there is some adoration of Mary and characters who are monks. We are Protestants, and did not find it offensive.

  • Kelly

    I read this book aloud to my 7 year old son at bedtime. He is a huge history buff already, and is particularly interested in the World Wars, so this book was right up his alley! It wasn't my cup of tea, but it was a good story that kept my attention for the most part, and he completely loved it, so I gave it 4 stars. Fortunately, we started reading it at the weekend, because this was a book that prompted lots of "please don't stop reading!....please read a little more, please!", lol. So a book that I had planned to read over a week, we read in 2 nights. He has already decided that this one must be read again in a few months, though he will probably read it to himself next time. :)