Published by Scholastic Press
Summary: In brief, rhyming text, a boy tells of his journey to Washington, D.C. to ride with his grandfather in the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, a parade of motorcyclists held on Memorial Day every year to honor America’s veterans. The focus is the Vietnam War, where Grandpa fought and lost friends. The motorcyclists camp the night before, then get up at dawn to join the parade. It winds past the Lincoln Memorial and ends at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where there are speeches and tears. Finally, the boy and his grandfather sit in a field at the end of the day, watching a shooting star in the night sky. A brief author’s note tells about the Thunder Ride. 32 pages; ages 4-8.
Pros: Readers with interests in the military, history, or motorcycles will enjoy this; it would also make a great Memorial Day read-aloud (sorry I’m a little late…maybe Veterans’ Day?).
Cons: The illustrations don’t reflect the diversity of those who served in Vietnam.
