My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck By: Mary Pope Osborne (Sarah Goins): 3D Gallery

My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck By: Mary Pope Osborne

Madeline Beck is a high school girl who lives in a boarding house with her mother. She always feels like she needs to help out with the war. Her friends are impressed that she knows so much about the war and her dad's occupation. Madeline meets a boy, named Johnny and they start a club together that is successful from the very beginning. Madeline goes through many obstacles through the war and the audience gets to go along with her.

Madeline's Dad

Madeline Beck's dad is a lieutenant commander and he is never home. Madeline and her mother live in an run-down boarding house, called Mrs. Hawkins's Mansion-by-the-Sea. They live with a few other people.

The Telegram

On May Twelfth of 1942, the thing that Madeline and her mother never wanted to happened, happened. They received just what they did not want, a telegram. Madeline said if they ever received one, that she would scream. It happened and it was devastating for both Madeline and her mother. Madeline's father had been injured and was in the hospital. They were very upset, but it could have been worse.

Madeline and Johnny

Madeline has a new friend, named Johnny. He and Madeline hang out all the time and Johnny is amazed at all Madeline's dad does in the war. Madeline suggested an idea for a club that he could help with. The club would be based off of teenagers that want to help with the war effort. If they helped with the war effort, they could get points and rank higher in the club. The club became a hit faster than they could get everything together and soon they were famous all through the school.

A Day Madeline Will Never Forget

On December Seventh of 1941, the Japanese attacked a Naval Base called Pearl Harbor located in Hawaii. The Japanese Imperial Headquarters announced a state of war with the United States. Madeline and her mother were hysterical, worrying that Madeline's father's ship might have been there. It ended up that none of the aircraft carrier ships were damaged or destroyed. Madeline will always remember the worry and how the country was in shock.

Madeline's Mother

Madeline's mother started working at the Civil War Defense Factory in the middle of the book to help out with the war effort. Since all the men were away at war, the women had to go work in the factories. The country was using so many supplies, since we were at war, that the supplies made ahead of time were long gone. They needed supplies made quick and that is when all the women came together and went to work.

Facing the Darkness

After Madeline had found out about her dad, she hit a dark place. She did not talk to anyone for a while. She gave up her spot in the K3F club and she did not know what to do with herself. She worried herself to death the whole time when she did not hear from her father. Madeline decided it was time to face the darkness in her life. People are not allowed on the beach after dark for safety, but Madeline took a risk. She went to the beach after dark. The Coast Guard is usually watching the beach after dark. People get in trouble if they are on the beach. This time, there was not a sign of them. Madeline was sitting on the beach when she a flashlight and so, she ran home. She was scared, but she needed to breathe.

Caught

Madeline was at the beach again one night, when she saw a flashlight on her. Madeline heard voices and saw shapes of two men. One of the men called her out and flashed her with the flashlight. The man told her to halt and asked her who she was and where she lived. She knew that this was not good. The men told her that they

were the Coast Guard, but she hear foreign voices. She knew something was fishy. The next few days, she kept seeing someone around their boarding house. They looked suspicious. Madeline was out riding her bike, when someone in a car ran her off of the rode. She knew it had to be them. She had to tell someone so she told Johnny. Madeline and Johnny went the next day to find any clues they thought could lead to suspicion. They both found German cigarettes. They also came across some of the Nazi's stuff. Those people had been Germans. Madeline and Johnny called the FBI and remained anonymous, but they saved people from getting hurt and they got to the end of that mystery.

Kindness

When Madeline's father was injured and in the hospital, everyone showed kindness. They all made cards to send to him and Johnny's family sent a huge care package. People that had family away at war were even sending cards to Madeline's father. All through the book everyone is showing kindness. Women are working for the war effort the whole time. Everyone came together in this hard time and became one.

Saying Goodbye

Madeline and her mother received a letter. Madeline's father was receiving an Air Medal. The bad thing is that Madeline and her mother had to move to San Francisco. Madeline had to tell her friends that she was leaving. She was saying goodbye to Long Island and starting fresh in San Francisco. Madeline's mother had to quit her job at the defense factory. Everyone was upset, but they understood. Madeline and her mother were going to be reunited with their family again.

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My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck By: Mary Pope Osborne (Sarah Goins)