Avi presents an interesting and humorous fiction story set during a very tense period of American history.  I thought he does a very nice job of portraying the lonliness of a boy, Howie, who's father is away at war, while the boy involves himself in his own personal war at home as he imagines spies and other funny threats.  Howie must rise to the challenge and show bravery in the face of his imagined dangers, similar to the courage and bravery his father is showing oversees during WW II.  I really enjoyed this light-hearted, fun story.