Shooting at the Stars

By John Hendrix (Illustrator)

A Christmas Eve truce halts war, uniting enemies in unexpected peace.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,045 ratings

40 pages· 2,079 words· Est. 16 min read-aloud

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

On the front lines of World War I, a young British soldier writes home about an extraordinary Christmas Eve. Amidst fierce battles, Allied and German soldiers lay down arms to celebrate together, sharing carols and gifts. As the holiday ends, they return to their trenches, awaiting the war's grim resumption. This poignant tale captures a fleeting moment of humanity amidst conflict, leaving readers to ponder the power of peace in the darkest times.

From the publisher

Discover the incredible true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 in this award-winning picture book from author and illustrator John Hendrix. Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. In a letter to his mother, he describes how, despite fierce fighting earlier from both sides, Allied and German soldiers ceased firing that evening and came together on the battlefield to celebrate the holiday. They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even lit Christmas trees. But as the holiday came to a close, they returned to their separate trenches to await orders for the war to begin again. Award-wining creator John Hendrix wonderfully brings the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 to life with his signature style, interweaving detailed illustrations and hand-lettered text. His telling of the story celebrates the humanity that can persist during even the darkest periods of our history. “Hendrix crafts an intimate fictional account of the event . . . powerful images.” –Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)