Night Witches: A Novel of World War II

Sixteen-year-old Valya lives in Stalingrad during World War II and when the Germans attack Russia she and her sister are eager to join the Night Witch regiments of women pilots who fly dangerous, open-air missions to bomb important Nazi sites. Unfortunately, Valya is too young, but when her mother dies she undertakes a dangerous journey to find the women’s secret base and join the Night Witches, and her life becomes even more hazardous once she is in the air. This historical novel, for grades 7-9, deals with a serious subject matter in a straightforward manner, and is suitable for a literature circle, independent novel choice, and cross-curricular resource.