The consequences, sacrifice and dedication of military members are worthy of mention and praise, even among children. These books paint an age-appropriate depiction of war and how it affects those involved and those left at home.

"A Less than Perfect Peace" by Jacqueline Levering Sullivan; Eerdmans Books for Young Readers; 209 pages; $8.50.

For kids ages 10 to 14, this thoughtful piece of middle-grade fiction stars 14-year-old Annie who helps her World War II veteran father learn to embrace life after battle. Set in 1950 as the Cold War begins to grip the United States, author Sullivan's carefully penned tale is certainly researched thoroughly and based on events from her own childhood. The follow-up to "Annie's War," this novel depicts an all-too-common occurrence of children helping parents return to normalcy.

When the family moves from Seattle to Tacoma, Washington, Annie's once gregarious father retreats further into his blindness. It takes Annie meeting new twin friends, who happen to be refugees from Holland, to fully understand her father and the deep consequences of war and sacrifice.

Historically sound but not bogged down in fact, "A Less than Perfect Peace" is an absorbing, quick read for middle-graders.

"A Flag in the Window" by Brian Karadashian; Dog Ear Publishing; 180 pages; $10.

Penned by a teacher from San Diego, this gem of historical fiction sends young readers directly to the 1940s, with the sounds and feel of swing music, a pharmacy soda jerk character, descriptions of war bond posters, and the authentic slang and sensibilities of that pivotal period.

In the lively story, 12-year-old Billy yearns for his father, who is a paratrooper stationed in England during World War II. Set in Pasadena, California, Karadashian's tale includes plenty of fun information about the vintage games and activities popular for children during that era. But a serious feel about the effects of war is also apparent, and the results for Billy and his mother are life-changing.

"Hope's Gift" by Kelly Starling Lyons; illustrated by Don Tate; Putnam Juvenile; 32 pages; $16.99.

This poignant, thoughtful picture book tells the inspirational story of a little slave girl's father who leaves the plantation to join the Civil War. He leaves her a special conch shell with an echoing sound that symbolizes the promised song of freedom. Though things become harder at the plantation, and Hope even works in the fields, she and her little brother pray and hold tight to the conch shell for comfort.

Finally, after a year, word spreads on the plantation that freedom may finally have arrived. Then it does, as President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation. Eventually Hope's father returns, outfitted in a ragged blue war uniform with the pride of fighting for his country and the truth of freedom for his family.

Told with lots of love and promise, and endearing watercolors, "Hope's Gift" is hopeful, like its title.

"D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, 1944" by Rick Atkinson; Henry Holt and Co.; 224 pages; $18.99.

Pulitzer Prize winner Atkinson adapts his best-seller, "The Guns at Last Light," for a younger audience (ages 11 to 16) with clarity and precision. With an array of clear black-and-white photographs, war posters, a detailed timeline and youth-friendly lists of the greatest tanks, battleships and bombers of the war, this version is a fascinating introduction to World War II.

Certainly accessible and visually appealing, Atkinson's book captures clearly the events and the spirit of the day that led to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control.

"I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863." by Lauren Tarshis; Scholastic Press; 112 pages; $4.99.

Part of the popular Scholastic paperback series "I Survived," Tarshis' riveting historical fiction entry is a thrilling adventure. Readers ages 7 to 10 will meet young Thomas and his little sister Birdie who have spent their lives as Virginia slaves. When Thomas is taken away one day, he realizes he and Birdie must escape to the North, but are swept into the Battle of Gettysburg instead.

Though the tale is fiction, Tarshis does a wonderful job with evocative illustrations and added facts about the Civil War era.

A smart addition to a fantastic elementary school book series, this seventh installment asks kids a thrilling question: "Do you have what it takes to survive?"

"Lincoln's Gettysburg Address" by Abraham Lincoln; illustrated by James Daugherty; Albert Whitman & Company; 48 pages; $19.99.

Lincoln's brief speech, The Gettysburg Address, was one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in history. Presented here with lush, mural-like images from Daugherty, the Gettysburg address comes to live. Lots of color, emotional scenes and a poster-like set-up makes the grand picture book child-friendly and gorgeous.

Updated with an introduction by Gabor Boritt, a Lincoln and Civil War scholar, "Lincoln's Gettysburg Address" brings history to life.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.