Silver Stars

Gr 8 Up—In this second installment of the series, readers continue to follow Rainy, Frangie, and Rio during World War II as they travel from North Africa to Italy. Rainy is given a mission that involves her father. Frangie and Rio grow as characters as they are tested. This series puts a twist on historical fiction by exploring war through female soldiers on the frontlines. The story is told by different narrators, giving teens a multifaceted experience of war. There is no masking the horror and inhumanity and little room for sentimentality. Sexism and racism are blatant, and the offenders are unapologetic. If readers are easily offended by violence, this is not the book for them. Fans of the first volume, though, will want to see what happens to these strong young women. Give this work to those who enjoyed Ruta Sepetys's Salt to the Sea and other World War II historical fiction.