Under Fire

Under Fire is an eclectic, multidisciplinary collection that explores the representation of war and its aftereffects in childrens books and documentary film. This richly illustrated volume brings together internationally known contributors to examine the ongoing influence of violence and war on childrens literature by studying the childhood experiences of authors writing for children, the children represented in war stories, and the experiences of children who make up the stories readership. Under Fire opens timely avenues in literary studies and encourages those who work with young readers to envision childrens studies in new ways. The first three sections explore wars effect on children from the Childrens Crusade through World War II, with a special emphasis on the Holocaust. Contributors in these sections pay close attention to the effects of war on the collective memory and consciousness of both children and authors, investigating how these experiences serve as fodder for fantasy and as a justification for the abundance of realism in childrens books. The final section studies in detail childrens books and stories from the world-renowned Cotsen Collection at Princeton University, including C. S. Lewiss Chronicles of Narnia series and J. K. Rowlings Harry Potter series. Dedicated to the memory of Mitzi Myers, Under Fire concludes with a personal essay by Myers, who considers the unexpected and long-reaching effects of childrens literature on her own life. Under Fire helps readers to understand why matters of life and death have always been at the heart of enduring works for children. Childrens studies scholars and students and teachers of childrens literature will appreciate this multifaceted and intriguing volume.