Based on

Sunrise Over Fallujah By Walter Dean Myers

About the Book:In Sunrise Over Fallujah, the reader is given a first-hand account of Robin “Birdy” Perry’s experience in the war on Iraq. Written with frankness and compassion, the story helps us understand what it is like to discover the realities of war when stripped of its glory. Some of it is through letters that gloss over true horrors that are more evident in the body of the story. Readers experience encounters with innocent Iraqi citizens who, while caught in the crossfire of war, develop close relationships with Private Perry’s fellow squad members and officers.

Even though Perry is in the Civil Affairs Unit, whose purpose is to start the rebuilding process, he spends his months in the heart of the battles and the squirmishes of gunfire and EID bombs. We discover, particularly through his home correspondence, that a few months of reality can mature a person quickly. The reader will come away with a bit of a change, as well as a better understanding of the war on Iraq. Set the Stage:Use the following to get the students ready to read:

Find out if anyone in the group has a personal connection to a soldier in the war on Iraq. If you find •volunteers, let them tell their story. If not, continue and explain that the book they are about to read is one person’s account of his experience as a Private in the army during the war on Iraq. This person is sent to Iraq for about five months with the Civil Affairs Unit, which means he is to go and help begin the rebuilding process that will occur once the war is over. Ask students if they think this scenario sounds pretty simple and relatively safe. Remind students that although the character is fictional, author Walter Dean Myers based his story on researched true accounts and what they are about to read is extremely eye-opening.

Review:After reading the book, discuss the following:

In what format is a large part of this story told, and how does it lend itself to the impact of the story?•

What influence did Robin’s uncle Richie have on him?•

Where is Fallujah? In what country and near what large city is it located?•

Where is Private Robin Perry from?•

What is the city of Doha like?•

Where does Jonsey claim to get his training?•

What does Major Sessions say to you if you don’t want to do something that you think “isn’t in your •job description”?

What is a guerilla fighter?•

How does Robin’s father feel about his decision to join the army?•

Are there actual rules that are supposed to be followed in times of war? Explain.•

What does a white flag with a red crescent moon on it denote?•

In the end, what is it that Robin learns about war?•

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Student Activity (found on the last page of this PDF):Students are asked to explain the four stages in Operation Iraqi Freedom and how they would carry them out if they were officers in the army.

Related Activities:To extend students’ enjoyment of the book, try these:

Time Line in the Sand:• The story ends in June 2003. Have students research and make a time line of major events that happened in terms of the recent Middle East conflict and the war on terrorism since that date.

Dear Me:• Have students compare Robin’s first letter to his uncle Richie (February 27, 2003) to the last one he writes (June 17, 2003). What changes occur in him over those few months?

In Memory:• Ask students to research and write about any local war memorials. If there are no local memorials, they can choose a national war memorial to write about. Students can try visiting them and write about the experience.

When They Come Marching Home:• Have students research and compare the reactions of the United States citizens to the war veterans returning from the following wars/conflicts: World War I (The Great War), World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.

Texting War:• Ask students to deconstruct the following acronyms: FOB, RPG, WIA, MOS, IED, WMD, KIA, ROE, LOC, MIA, POW, KP.

Sense of Duty:• Suggest that students write a letter to a soldier in Iraq or a veteran from another war/conflict. They should keep it positive, with interest and gratitude. Ask them to share it with a parent or teacher before sending it. This can also be done as a class project. Take up a collection of items to send.

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© 2010 Scholastic Inc. 8476

Name

Army Intelligence Based on Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers

Directions: Operation Iraqi Freedom has four distinct stages. Explain what you think each of these stages means. Imagine yourself as a general in the army. How would you handle each one of these stages if you were sent to an area of conflict?

Stage 1: Understanding and assessment of the area.

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Stage 2: Preparation of the battlefield.

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Stage 3: Forceful removal of the present regime in Iraq and neutralizing their weapons.

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Stage 4: Building of a successful democracy in Iraq.

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Bonus: As a person in charge of a Civil Affairs Unit, how would you begin the rebuilding process after the top four stages are completed?

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© 2010 Scholastic Inc. 8476Permission to reproduce this curriculum connection is fully granted by Scholastic Book Fairs.