Kaia Alderson

Includes "P.S. insights, interviews & more" with reading group guide discussion questions.

A Novel of the Daring Black Women Who Served During World War II

Sisters in Arms

Kristen Claiborn

I really enjoyed this book, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if it were entirely fictional. This book follows Grace and Eliza as they navigate their way through the US Army as the first Black female officers. The history is truly remarkable, and I will be reading my way through the suggested reading list Alderson added at the end. However, this book really downplays the role they played and focused on their relationship with each other, and their personal relationships with everybody else in their lives. It was incredibly enjoyable, but I felt like it turned the experience into something frivolous. We're talking about some bada** women, but it felt like there was an awful lot of focus on their romantic relationships, or their relationships with their families (which is valid, but not what I wanted). I can look at this as a GREAT story and be slightly disappointed that more of the history of that group wasn't the focus. It is worth reading.

A gripping and thrilling novel of the courageous Black women who made history in World War Two. Inspired by true events, and perfect for fans of Kate Quinn's The Alice Network and Hidden Figures. 'Poignant and powerful; an untold story that you simply must read' NATASHA LESTER Based on the true story of the 6888th Postal Battalion (the Six Triple Eight), Sisters in Arms explores the untold story of what life was like for the only all-Black, female US battalion to be deployed overseas during World War Two. 'Heartwarming but fierce, a novel brimming with camaraderie and fire, starring women you'd love to make your friends' KATE QUINN 'A beautifully written love song to the brave, oft forgotten Black women who courageously stepped up to serve their country' FARRAH ROCHON 'The story of these brave female soldiers will have you rooting for them with the turn of every page and brimming with pride. A triumph!' KWANA JACKSON They were fighting for freedom everywhere. But the first battle they had to win was at home. Grace Steele and Eliza Jones make history when they join the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and form the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Not only are they among the first class of female officers the army has ever seen, they are also the first Black women allowed to serve. Everyone is determined to see this experiment fail and learning to navigate their way through the segregated army is tougher than boot camp. Grace and Eliza may be from completely different backgrounds but they both recognise that to succeed they must be more perfect than everyone else: there is no room for error. They know that what lies overseas in England and France could cause them great personal cost, but nothing is going to stop these courageous women from playing their parts for the country they love.

A gripping novel of the courageous Black women who made history in World War Two - inspired by true events

Sierra

" Our army refused to give us weapons, but we knew that we don't need guns to fight for what's right."

I'll admit that I had never heard of the Six Triple Eight before this book and it's such a shame they are not taught about in history classes because they are certainly role-model material. I am so glad I picked up this book.

Eliza and Grace (both fictional) are very different girls that end up signing up for the WAAC, later the WAC, and ship off to Iowa to become some of the first female officers in the army. They look out for each other despite a dislike for one another and climb the ranks before being shipped to Europe. Between them and another officer named Charity (a real person), they never backed down no matter how much racism and sexism they were forced to endure. Finding out that the iconic scene where Charity stood up to a general did indeed actually happen made me admire the grit of these women all the more.

This book is a relatively quick read but does read a little more YA than adult than I had thought. While I love the attention to detail to make the story historically accurate, I feel like a lot of the women's accomplishments were overlooked a little too much in regards to the main character for a "war story". I would have loved to have learned more about the women as they were promoted through ranks and not skipped over that because this was such a monumental moment for these women. And while I understand that it's not easy to get along with who you work with, the two main characters and their constant arguments did get a little old and distract from how strong sisterhood bonds would've been between women in the 6888th battalion where they needed each other's support.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book because it's strong women like these that are great role models and should be acknowledged more. I certainly won't forget the story of these badass women and their role in history.

Sisters in Arms A Novel of the Daring Black Women Who Served During World War II

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