While World War Il rages across the ocean in Europe, young Tomie finds life changing in many ways. His family still celebrates New Year's Eve, and he still helps Tom and Nana in their grocery store, but he has to wear an extra sweater in class because the school is conserving heat, and blackout curtains cover the windows at home. And even as Tomie struggles with arithmetic and penmanship, the war seems more real when Cousin Blackie visits on his way overseas to fly missions as a bomber gunner. Then tragedy brings the war home to the dePaola family, and all Tomie can do is ask "Why?" Recalling the most trying times at the Newbery Honor-winning address of 26 Fairmount Avenue, Tomie dePaola infuses his memories with his customary sensitivity and humor. In his warm storytelling voice, Why? offers great comfort to young readers struggling with similar issues about the world today.