by Michael Burgan (Author) James Bernardin (Illustrator)
Are you ready for some of the most exciting, death-defying escape stories ever told? Perfect for fans of the I Survived series, the first installment in a brand-new, edge-of-your-seat series based on real events!
In spring 1942, Royal Air Force pilot Bill Ash's plane was shot down by Germans, who captured and eventually brought him 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 ready to prove them wrong. He, along with other POWs, would dig tunnels, hide in shower drains, or jump on trucks--all in the name of freedom. Because resisting the Germans was their mission, and escaping was their duty.
From reluctant reader to total bookworm, each book in this page-turning series--featuring fascinating bonus content and captivating illustrations--will leave you excited for the next adventure!
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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
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