The Eleventh Hour

Gr 4 Up—This Canadian import searingly depicts the impact of war through the lens of two best friends, Jules and Jim, who are born on the same day and share an unlikely friendship. Although born two minutes apart, Jim is always quicker to learn and faster than Jules, yet they are as close as brothers when World War I breaks out in Europe and each enlists. Goldstyn's ink and watercolor illustrations beautifully pair with his words, depicting subtleties and political context that might otherwise elude readers. For example, in one vignette it shows how Jules and Jim may not know about the "treaties and alliances, but they understood that their country needed them." Goldstyn openly depicts shells, bullets, and poisonous gas launched at each side, and though not excessively graphic, it is obvious that people are dying. The monotony and fear of life in the trenches is rendered in heartbreaking detail, as is the realization of Jim and Jules that German soldiers aren't monsters but simply men. Goldstyn also reflects on how people are faring. For Jim and Jules, the armistice is two minutes too late and one of them does not survive. When only one returns home, his life is haunted by loss as he attempts to find a way to move forward in his life. This is a lengthier picture book and, due to its content and rich use of figurative language, is best suited for older children. It is however, an excellent resource for adults to share with students when having discussions about war in general and World War I in particular.