The Small War of Sergeant Donkey

If you were starving, would you be willing to save your family, your town, an enemy and yourself? A young Italian orphan, Chico Filippo, a monk and a donkey did in the fascinating tale, The Small War of Sergeant Donkey. In 1944, Italy and Germany were in a great war with the Allied Forces. In that context, Chico, is befriended by his "enemy" Sergeant Missouri, a soldier with the U.S. Army, and his prized donkey. Because it is in training as a solider for the transportation of military equipment, Chico nicknames the Missouri-native beast, "Sergeant Donkey." One day, Sergeant Missouri is ambushed by the Nazis while taming donkeys to follow orders and remain silent though carrying heavy loads through the Italian mountains. If Sergeant Missouri takes one path he'll fall into a chasm and as he advances he comes under enemy fire. Thus, he is trapped, badly wounded and few resources. His only hope is to radio for help... As the radio squawks in the distance, Chico searches for his new friend back at the U.S. Army's Remount Depot. Instead, he hears Sergeant Missouri's voice pleading for help and indicating his position as beyond the current Nazi stronghold adjacent to the mountain-ridge Abbey of San Isidoro. Immediately, Chico journeys there with Sergeant Donkey packing supplies, including grenades, provided by soldiers and arrives after nightfall. Upon arrival, he meets his good friend, Brother "Honeycake," a Catholic monk, who for years had provided honey (thanks to Chico's deliveries) as nourishment for the sick and elderly townsfolk. Brother "Honeycake" agrees to pray for Chico while he rescues Sergeant Missouri. To distract the Nazis, and as an act of prayer, Brother "Honeycake," plays the Abbey's organ so loudly that the Nazis do not detect Chico and Sergeant Missouri mounted on Sergeant Donkey safely returning to the depot. As a reward for saving his life, Sergeant Missouri gives Chico his "heroic" donkey. Finally, through teamwork, three ordinary individuals - an orphan, a monk and a donkey - save the life of a badly wounded soldier.

This engaging tale opens up young readers eyes to an place and time quite unfamiliar to most Americans - Italy during World War II. The American military actions in the mountains of Italy are seen through the eyes of a young boy and a most beloved donkey. A fairly easy read and particulary interesting for young boys (who aren't always eager to read).