Extraordinary art and short, poetic phrases in this picture book for older readers show how a young soldier feels as he waits for battle in a forest in Vietnam. Readers’ hearts will beat quickly as the soldier anticipates an encounter with the enemy. Is the enemy the old man? the young woman? the farmer? the crying baby? When he is finally face-to-face with the enemy, they stare at each other in surprise and fright. Grifalconi’s collages enhance this poignant story that readers will find hard to forget.