Among the Red Stars

by The Swinging Tigers

Overview

A suspenseful historical YA debut inspired by the true story of an all-female bomber unit in Russia during World War II.

World War II has erupted in Valka’s homeland of Russia, and Valka is determined to help the effort. She’s a pilot—and a good one—so she eagerly joins an all-female bomber regiment. 

Flying has always meant freedom and exhilaration for Valka, but dropping bombs on German targets is something else entirely. The raids are dangerous, but as Valka watches her fellow pilots putting everything on the line in the face of treachery, she learns the true meaning of bravery.

As the war intensifies, though, and those around her fall, Valka must decide how much she is willing to risk to defend the skies she once called home.

Inspired by the true story of a famous all-female Russian bomber regiment, Gwen C. Katz weaves a tale of strength and sacrifice, of learning to fight for yourself, and of the perils of a world at war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062642769
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/03/2017
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	349,218
File size:	950 KB
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Gwen C. Katz is a writer, artist, game designer, and retired mad scientist easily identified by her crew cut and ability to cause trouble. Originally from Seattle, she now lives in Pasadena, California, with her husband and a revolving door of transient mammals. Visit her at www.gwenckatz.com.

Editorial Reviews

08/28/2017
Valka, a young Russian aviator, joins the war effort from the air while her childhood friend Pasha fights on the front lines in this intimate portrayal of the personal toll of WWII. Told largely through letters exchanged between the friends (and inspired by a real group of fearless airwomen, designated the Night Witches by their enemies), Katz’s debut novel extols the troops’ bravery without sugarcoating the atrocities of war. Through Valka’s eyes, she examines the sexism women faced attempting to break into the field, fears of being labeled a traitor to the socialist experiment, the inextricable ways war changes a person, and the sacrifices and impossible choices that are inextricably tied to combat. Valka’s journey takes her from a scrappy, idealistic pilot to a battle-worn veteran, but she never loses her humanity. Although her correspondence with Pasha serves as an excellent device to overlay their experiences and ignite a love story from a safe distance, their detailed recountings of various conversations wind up an awkward way for them to share information with each other. Ages 13–up. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Katz is skillfully informative, interweaving historical figures and facts without losing emotional propulsion and suspense.

The Horn Book

This beautiful, emotional entry into a key moment in Russian history will appeal to lovers of adventure novels, as well as historical fiction fans.

Booklist Online

Valka has long dreamed of following in the footsteps of her hero and becoming a pilot. She volunteers at the local aerodome, where she learns how to fly in a discarded plane pieced together with junk parts. WWII begins, and Pasha, the boy next door, signs up to fight and asks Valka if he can write to her so he can keep a connection to home. A rare opportunity arises for Valka and her cousin, Iskra, to fight for Mother Russia. They are chosen to join an all-female military aviation group. These amazing ladies want to do their jobs well—not just “good enough for a group of girls.” They face the danger, devastation, hopelessness, and atrocities of war. They become fearless fighters who upset the traditional views of women in the military. The author notes that, while the characters of Valka, Pasha, and Iskra are fictitious, the airwomen and their stories are based on the true history of Aviation Group 122, known as the Night Witches. The plot of Among The Red Stars develops through a combination of Valka’s point-of-view narration and letters between Pasha and Valka. The writing style is unique and engaging. While well written and an interesting presentation of history, this book will need to be talked up to generate interest. Students who do not normally read historical fiction will not gravitate to Among The Red Stars, but once it is picked up, it will be well received. Reviewer: Liz Nebeker; Ages 15 to 18.

VOYA, October 2017 (Vol. 40, No. 4) - Liz Nebeker

08/01/2017
Gr 7 Up—Told through letters between 18-year-old pilot Valka and her "close friend" Pasha—who seems more like a boyfriend—this book primarily covers the story of the Night Witches in Russia during World War II. Readers gain two perspectives of the war: Valka and her navigator cousin Iskra's flying adventures and Pasha's view from the front lines where the Germans are creeping up on the Red Army. It has always been Valka's dream to be a fighter pilot, shooting down enemy planes one by one. At one time, it was a man's job—but not anymore. After several weeks of flight training and classes, Iskra is imprisoned because of her parents' supposed treachery toward Russia four years prior. Luckily, the head of the Aviation Group—renowned female pilot Major Marina Raskova—is able to pull some strings to bring Iskra and Valka together as navigator and pilot. When Pasha's group comes face-to-face with the Germans, Valka and Iskra must decide if they want to remain allegiant to the regiment or to risk being captured—and therefore becoming traitors to the State—to rescue Pasha. Give to fans of Kathryn Lasky's Night Witches. VERDICT Recommended for school and public library collections as a strong historical fiction addition.—Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI

School Library Journal

2017-07-02
A young Soviet woman fulfills her dreams of flying for the Red Army's air force during World War II in this historical debut. Valka Koroleva wants nothing more than to join the war effort as a fighter pilot, inspired by the daring example set by her idol, Russian airwoman Marina Raskova. When the opportunity presents itself to try out for Raskova's brand-new all-female fighter and bomber regiments, Valka and her cousin Iskra do whatever it takes to prove their worth as airwomen and ultimately gain themselves spots in the 588th Night Bomber Squadron, a group of women who would become known and feared among the Germans as the "Night Witches." Meanwhile, Valka's sensitive childhood friend Pasha is drafted into the army before she can sort out her feelings for him. Much of the action of the novel is subsequently described in long letters the two exchange throughout the course of the war, lending a stilted, secondhand quality to the proceedings and robbing them of the urgency that should rightly accompany the valiant actions depicted. Though many of Valka and Iskra's compatriots are based on real airwomen who were part of the all-female Aviation Group 122, their characterizations are unfortunately thin and underdeveloped. This latest attempt to bring the story of the Night Witches to life runs too long and lands short of the runway. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews