Burgan traces the true story of American RAF pilot Bill Ash as he
plans multiple escapes from Nazi prisoner of war camps during the Second
World War. The story starts off with a bang as Ash and his buddy attempt to
escape from Stalag Luft III from a tunnel underneath the showers. This
escape was foiled, but does not detour Ash from trying again--and again. Burgan
next goes back in time, tracing Ash's journey from a Texan boyhood,
obsessed with Charles Lindbergh and airplanes, to leaving the country for
Canada in order to get into the war before America commits. Sidebars contain
background historical information about relevant topics ranging from
concentration camps to the rights of POWs. As Ash continues to defy the Nazi's
and attempts to continue to fight and escape prison, he has run-ins with
the Gestapo, endures torture, receives help from the Resistance, spends time
ion the "Cooler", and is betrayed by those he thinks are allies.
After one narrow escape after another, Burgan finally reaches the end of the
war, only to nearly die from starvation, disease, and friendly fire. Based on a
true story, readers discover what happens to Ash after the war as his life as a
civilian continues.
Perfect for fans of "I Survived", this new series is sure to be an easy sell. From the eye-catching cover to the layout of the book, reluctant readers will gravitate towards this series and keep turning pages. Clocking in at exactly 100 pages, it is the perfect length. Black and white illustrations, at least one per chapter and often full-page, help to hold the reader's interest and seem to highlight the most exciting bits. Historical information is offered in sidebars meant to look like typed paper-the background color and the font slightly different, clarifying that these are the facts behind the story. The story, itself, is well written, researched, and told in an interesting matter sure to appeal to the target audience. An author's note at the end further separates the facts from fiction and fleshes out the tale a bit more. A bibliography was a great surprise and offers readers non-fiction sources for more information. The volume ends with an excerpt from the next installment in the series, Journey to Freedom, which features the Underground Railroad. Of interest to both schools and recreational reading, this series ticks a lot of boxes and will be popular with history lovers, adventure junkies, and reluctant readers. A surefire hit!
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