Mary Claire's Dream
Story blends memoir and fiction in vivid depiction of wartime struggles
WWII-Era Novel Pays Homage to Sacrifices Made for Freedom
Story blends memoir and fiction in vivid depiction of wartime struggles
2008-10-25
LONGWOOD, FL--Journey back to the days of WWII in Mary Claire's Dream ($15.99, paperback, 978-1-60647-797-7; $25.99, hardcover, 978-1-60647-798-4), a new novel from Xulon Press author Martha Sylvest. While America fights her enemies overseas, young Mary Claire contends with her own adversaries. She is six years old when the war interrupts her dream; her hope is that it will be restored at the end of the war. Meanwhile, she develops the inner strength and courage to defeat her foes at school and at home. At the age of ten, her dream materializes. Readers will groan at the losses and share in the thrill of victory as they follow Mary Claire's story throughout the global military conflict.
Says Sylvest, "This book strives to remind young people of heroic deeds during WWII. I have found that most young people know the historical facts of WWII but know little about the sacrifices of the citizens at home. The people in this book are not storybook characters. They are real American citizens, living real, everyday lives during terrible times. People can't always choose their circumstances, but they can choose how they react. They can be ready to protect their country and freedom that costs so much to so many."
Based loosely on the events of the author's life, Mary Claire's Dream covers the years 1936-1946, describing situations that very well may have happened during this time. "Since I was only a baby then, I researched extensively family life of that time," she says. "But my best information came from older friends who remember vividly how they lived and sacrificed. They also remember with pride how they served in the military and worked on the home front for their country. These people will not be here much longer to tell about it."