A thrilling, brand-new historical fiction series based on real events—perfect for readers of the "I Survived" and "Horrible Histories" series! In this first book, Royal Canadian Air Force officer Bill Ash escapes from a German POW camp during World War II.
In the spring of 1942, Royal Air Force pilot Bill Ash’s plane was surrounded and shot down by Germans. He was eventually brought to Stalag Luft III, a notorious camp for prisoners of war.
The Germans boasted that the camp—which was isolated, heavily guarded, and surrounded by wire fences—was escape proof. But Ash was determined to prove them wrong. He, along with other POWs, would dig tunnels, hide in shower drains, or jump on trucks—all to gain freedom. Because resisting the Germans was their mission, and escaping was their duty.
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Readers of this new historical fiction series meet Mr. Bill Ash, a U.S. citizen who joined the Canadian Royal Air Force in 1940. His indomitable spirit permeates the story as the author realistically depicts Ash’s multiple escape attempts and the consequences of his failures. Informative sidebars about topics as varied as the Great Depression and prisoner-of-war camps in the United States complement the text by providing additional context. At least one sidebar feels out of place, however, because it details events that have not yet occurred. Readers learn through an author’s note that the story is based on a real person and events, with fictionalized dialogue. Black-and-white illustrations serve the action of the text well. Since this is Ash’s story, his character has the most depth, and the author portrays him positively throughout the narrative. The novel’s strengths are the action-driven plot and the believable setting. A useful bibliography lists both adult and juvenile nonfiction titles. A straightforward account that highlights a lesser-known World War II service member. Purchase where there is high demand for WWII literature.
Gr 3-6-Readers of this new historical fiction series meet Mr. Bill Ash, a U.S. citizen who joined the Canadian Royal Air Force in 1940. His indomitable spirit permeates the story as the author realistically depicts Ash's multiple escape attempts and the consequences of his failures. Informative sidebars about topics as varied as the Great Depression and prisoner-of-war camps in the United States complement the text by providing additional context. At least one sidebar feels out of place, however, because it details events that have not yet occurred. Readers learn through an author's note that the story is based on a real person and events, with fictionalized dialogue. Black-and-white illustrations serve the action of the text well. Since this is Ash's story, his character has the most depth, and the author portrays him positively throughout the narrative. The novel's strengths are the action-driven plot and the believable setting. A useful bibliography lists both adult and juvenile nonfiction titles. VERDICT A straightforward account that highlights a lesser-known World War II service member. Purchase where there is high demand for WWII literature.-Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.