A Boy at War is a historical novel by Harry Mazer targete at young adult audiences based on the events of the attack on Pearl Harbor that intitiated the United States' involvement in World War II. The book follows Adam Pelko, the son of a navy commander stationed at Pearl Harbor, during the Japanese attack of 7 December 1941.In this amazing book, a young boy, Adam Pelko moves to Honolulu. When he arrives, he goes to a public school. This is hard for him, since most of the kids don't like military students. He manages to make two friends: Davi Mori, a Japanese American and Martin Kahahawai, a native Hawaiian. They go fishing at Pearl harbor when the Japanese attack. The family receives a letter which states that Mr. Pelko has been missing in action since December 7. Adam knows his father is dead, because he saw the Arizona, his father's ship sink. His mother warns him to not say anything to his younger sister, Bea. The family is moved from Hawaii and goes back to the mainland. The book has 2 sequels: A Boy No More and Heroes Don't Run.