In Purple Heart, Patricia McCormick has tackled another serious issue: the trauma of war. Private Matt Duffy, an American soldier in Iraq, wakes up to find himself in a military hospital. He’s not quite sure how he got there or why. Dr. Kwong tells him he’s got a possible TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury, but Matt has no clue what caused it. He later learns from Justin, his squad mate and buddy, that he was “on the business end of an RPG [rocket propelled grenade]”. Matt has no memory of the incident.

Matt is awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. The officer who gives him the medal says “Your mission now, son, is to get better. Get better---and get back out there.” (Reviewer’s note: While, as a non-soldier, I find this sentiment unfeeling, apparently many soldiers do want to go back to their squad as soon as possible.)

Purple Heart takes you through Matt’s experiences in the hospital, his attempts to remember what happened and his experiences back out in the field. It probes his mind regarding his changing attitudes towards the Iraqi people, his fellow soldiers and even life back home. Readers will live in Matt’s head and feel his emotions and uncertainty.

McCormick has a reputation for her insightful, gritty books. If you haven’t read Cut or Sold, you must. Her language is not flowery. It is down to earth. Her stories are compelling and riveting. She invites you into the heads of the characters. The action is realistic and you envision yourself in the story as a bystander. Her books are powerful.

You’ve heard me say that there are certain authors whose books must be read. Patricia McCormick is one. Read Purple Heart. That’s all there is to it.

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