History Literature / SteppingOnTheCracks

* BigBrotherInstinct: Donald Smith, for all of his bad reputation and flaws, he sent a letter home to his brothers describing how WarIsHell which contributed to Stuart's desertion. Gordy shows some little brother instinct in working to keep Stuart hidden and fed despite not quite understanding the reasons behind his desertion.

* ActualPacifist: Stuart, which is why he deserted rather than go over to fight.

* DirtyCoward: The two safety patrols who refuse to report Gordy's bullying.

* AbusiveParents: Mr. Smith is a drunk who beats his wife and children. [[spoiler: after finding out Stuart is hiding in the area, he beats him so badly that he defend him in one ear, [[NiceJobFixingItVillain which keeps him from being sent overseas once the army gets him back]]]].

This novel contains examples of:

A middle-grade novel by Creator/MaryDowningHahn, ''Stepping on the Cracks'' follows families of young soldiers at home during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, particularly eleven year-old Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth, who both have older brothers fighting. They discover that their bully, Gordy Smith, is hiding his conscientious objector older brother Stuart, leading to an uneasy state of affairs that tests their belief in the war, and their ability to keep secrets.

A middle-grade novel by Creator/MaryDowningHahn. ''Stepping on the Cracks'' follows families of young soldiers at home during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, particularly eleven year-old Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth, who both have older brothers fighting. They discover that their bully, Gordy Smith, is hiding his conscientious objector older brother Stuart, leading to an uneasy state of affairs that tests their belief in the war, and their ability to keep secrets.

A middle-grade novel by Creator/MaryDowningHahn. Stepping on the Cracks follows families of young soldiers at home during World War II, particularly eleven year-old Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth, who both have older brothers fighting. They discover that their bully, Gordy Smith, is hiding his conscientious objector older brother Stuart, leading to an uneasy state of affairs that tests their belief in the war, and their ability to keep secrets.

A middle-grade novel by ''Creator/MaryDowningHahn''. Stepping on the Cracks follows families of young soldiers at home during World War II, particularly eleven year-old Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth, who both have older brothers fighting. They discover that their bully, Gordy Smith, is hiding his conscientious objector older brother Stuart, leading to an uneasy state of affairs that tests their belief in the war, and their ability to keep secrets.

* TrueCompanions: Surprisingly, Gordy's two friends are this with him, helping him hide Stuart largely out of personal loyalty.

* PomPomGirl: The main characters look up to Barbara, a gentle, athletic recently-graduated cheerleader whose late husband was the quarterback. Barbara always got along well with the sensitive and bookish Stuart, once stood up to his BigBrotherBully, and doesn't resent Stuart's choice to be a conscientious objector.

* PomPomGirl: Barbara Brown is an adult, but was apparently this in High School, and was a good friend to Stuart, Jimmy and Joe.

* AbusiveParents: Mr. Smith is a drunk who beats his wife and children. [[spoiler: after finding out Stuart is hiding int the area, he beats him so badly that he defend him in one ear, [[AccidentalHero which keeps him from being sent overseas once the army gets him back]]]].

* BigBrotherInstinct: Donald Smith, for all of his bad reputation and flaws, he sent a letter home to his brothers describing how WarIsHell which contributed to Stuart's desertion. Gordy shows some little brother instinct in workmen to keep Stuart hidden and fed despite not quite understanding the reasons behind his desertion.

* PomPomGirl: Barbara Brown is an adult, but was apparently this in High School, and was a good firmed to Stuart, Jimmy and Joe.

A middle-grade novel by ''Creator/Mary Downing Hahn''. Stepping on the Cracks follows families of young soldiers at home during World War II, particularly eleven year-old Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth, who both have older brothers fighting. They discover that their bully, Gordy Smith, is hiding his conscientious objector older brother Stuart, leading to an uneasy state of affairs that tests their belief in the war, and their ability to keep secrets.

A middle-grade novel by May Downing Hahn. Stepping on the Cracks follows families of young soldiers at home during World War II, particularly eleven year-old Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth, who both have older brothers fighting. They discover that their bully, Gordy Smith, is hiding his conscientious objector older brother Stuart, leading to an uneasy state of affairs that tests their belief in the war, and their ability to keep secrets.