Candy Bomber by Michael O. Tunnel

As I prepare to teach reading using more nonfiction, I've been really trying to find titles that are age-appropriate and engaging.  I do believe Candy Bomber by Michael O. Tunnell is both of those things. I've learned more history from reading children's books than I ever did while sitting in history class, and this book filled me in on events that unfolded post World War II in Berlin.  Small acts of kindness have woven into such a great story of hope and compassion.

I wish that I had read "Candy Bombers" by Michael O. Tunnell earlier so that I could have posted my review on Memorial Day.  After I read this book, I just had to watch one youtube video after another, scour websites to read even more about the handkerchief parachutes with candy attached that sailed into the hands of eager German children, and just marvel at the true heroes such as Lt. Gail Halvorsen.   Post World War II, the Soviets attempted block train and truck convoys with supplies into Berlin because they wanted to force West German to buckle under the weight of economic pressure to yield to them.  The people were strong and pushed back, but faced serious hardships.  This was definitely the beginning of the Cold War. The West Germans were facing starvation; however, once again, our military stood in the gap, risked their lives, and personified heroism! Airplanes began flying over to drop supplies to people in need.  This was known as The Berlin Airlift, and many times this was a dangerous operation. The Berlin Airlift saved the lives of countless citizens of West Berlin. 

Happenstance led to the "candy drops".  During a brief period on the ground,  Lt. Halvorsen,an Air Force pilot, had an opportunity to talk to a group of German children, and even though they didn't ask, he gave them some gum.  He was amazed at how the children shared with one another, and how much a simple luxury was so appreciated.  He decided to make little parachutes out of handkerchiefs to drop some candy to children below the next time he flew over.  This one act just blossomed until more and more people were involved, and news of this spread!  Children learned to watch for the bomber that wiggled its wings as it flew over! The Candy Bombers began dropping candy to the children to restore happiness and hope. READ the book! It is short, and has a lexile of 1130 and AR level of 7.2, but it's an easy read!

There is an adult book recounting the Berlin Airlift and the Candy Bombers by a similar title, "The Candy Bombers, The Untold Story of the Berlin Airlift and America's Finest Hour" by Andrei Cherney. Make sure you get the YA version or the text may be too complex for fourth/fifth graders. I want to read it though! GREAT READ! Nonfiction may be "my thing" after all!