Back-of-the-book blurb: The White Table is set in many halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty. Solitary and [...]]]> America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven, illustrated by Mike Benny
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (April 21, 2005)
ISBN-13: 978-1585362165

Back-of-the-book blurb: The White Table is set in many halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.

As a special gift to her Uncle John, Katie and her sisters are asked to help set the white table for dinner. As their mother explains the significance of each item placed on the table Katie comes to understand and appreciate the depth of sacrifice that her uncle, and each member of the Armed Forces and their families, may be called to give.

She is Too Fond of Books’ review: Well, it’s true – you learn something new every day!  Thanks to America’s White Table, I now know about the ceremonial table set to honor those members of the military who are MIA or have been prisoners of war.  I didn’t previously know about this tradition, full of symbolism, which a character describes in part:

“We use a small table, girls,” she explained first, “to show one soldier’s lonely battle against many.  We cover it with a white cloth to honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty.

We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return,” she continued.

We push an empty chair to the table for the missing soldiers who are not here.”

Margot Theis Raven’s prose tell the story of a fictional 10-year-old girl, Katie, whose uncle is coming for dinner on Veteran’s Day.  Katie’s mother explains the importance of the ceremonial table, and its special significance to Uncle John.  He served in Vietnam and lost his friend Mike there after the two were taken as prisoners of war.  Uncle John and his friend eventually gained their freedom; but Mike’s injuries were too severe and he didn’t survive.  Katie puts the story in book format as a promise to Uncle Mike and others that she will never forget the gift of freedom that veterans have given her.

The inner story of John and Mike as POWs in Vietnam is brief and poignant.  Imprisonment, injuries and death play a brief, but vital role in the flashback.  It is not graphic, nor does it dwell on this aspect of wars; it is necessary, though, to introduce the concept of sacrifices made in the name of freedom.  I felt it appropriate for the ages of my children who read the book with me (5, 7, and 11), and was able to address whatever questions they had in my usual manner (that is, with as little age-appropriate information as needed to satisfy their curiosity about a sensitive subject … similar to the way I’ve handled the birds and the bees!).

Mike Benny’s illustrations are expressive, colorful (but not overly bright, as befits the subject), and clear.  The vignette flashing back to Vietnam is done in sepia tones, visually distancing it from the contemporary story.  The lyrics of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” run in short phrases through the book, across the bottom of the pages.

I’m happy to add America’s White Table to our family’s library.  My kids have already asked if we’ll be setting a remembrance table this Veteran’s Day.  I feel that J and I shelter them from so much that’s going on in the world, honoring veterans in this way is one way we can gently start to bridge that gap.

FTC disclosure: review copy provided by the publisher.