Operation YES: Sara Lewis Holmes

This lively book for middle schoolers chronicles the classroom activities and excitement of a group of sixth graders in a school located on an air force base in the US. Their new teacher, Ms. Loupe, uses improvisational drama techniques to stimulate imagination and problem-solving in her students. Once they catch on, classroom energy changes and disinterested students perk up.
When Ms. Loupe's brother is missing in action in Afghanistan and later rescued as a wounded soldier, the class rallies on her behalf, and his. Drama in the classroom and the real life drama ever-present for military kids could be a compelling draw for readers.

Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Twelve-year-old Lonnie is finally feeling at home with his foster family. But he still lives apart from his little sister, Lili, so he decides it's his job to be the "rememberer"--and write down everything that happens while they're growing up. He says to her: "I'm going to hold on to all these letters, and when we're living together again, they're gonna be the first present I give you."

Now that Lonnie and Lili are settled with good foster families, he can focus on some new worries. His foster brother, Jenkins, is in the army, and Lonnie is wondering about what peace means. News comes to his foster mother that Jenkins is wounded and the whole household mourns and worries about his fate.

Through his letters to Lili, Lonnie shares the strains of war in his foster family, in himself, and in the Jenkins who returns, discouraged and disabled. Lonnie finds encouragement and hope through the love of his brother and his new "mom." who guides them all.