BRAT and the Kids of Warriors was honored to recieve the 2018 Beverly Hills Book Award for Young Adult Fiction.
The Iron Curtain
Photo from Ken Stalker. Note the fence and the wall dividing East and West Germany. The East German guard tower has clear visibility of no-mans-land.
read moreSoldier writing a letter home
Photo from Ken Stalker. The Hand written letter was a fine art form back in the late 1950's when Brat: Kids of Warriors takes places. Those were the days before PC's, email, smart phones, texting, etc. Virtually the only communication between family and friends was the letter (an art form that today is nearly lost). Troops of the 4th Armored Division were stationed overseas. So communicating anything with their family took at least a week.
read moreThe rifle range at Cook Barracks
Photo from Ken Stalker. These are troops on the rifle range at Cook Barracks. The rang e right next to the Flugplatz.
read moreChoppers landing at the Flugplatz
Photo from Ken Stalker. Can't you just see Jack and the brats watching these choppers land at the Cooke Barracks Flugplatz.
read moreCooke Barracks perimeter fence
Shot of Cooke Barracks. Note the perimeter fence on the lower left. No wonder it was difficult for the brats to get over that barbed-wire fence.
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No Racial Bounds
Photo from Ken Stalker. Combat warriors know no racial bounds. Only warrior competence.
read moreArmored troops on the Iron Curtain during the winter
Photo from Ken Stalker. In Brat: Kids of Warriors Ol' Henry tells the boys about 4th Armored Division rescuing the 101st Airborne Division during WWII at the Battle of the Bulge. It was a major winter battle. The rescue is a true story. So it is little wonder that 4th Armored went on winter maneuvers up at Grafenwöhr. They had to be trained and prepared to fight in all conditions.
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I am a military brat—and I say that with great pride.