Hopkinson, Deborah. Race Against Death: The Greatest POW Rescue of World War II. Scholastic Focus, 2023. 978-1-338-74616-7. $19.99. 320 p. Grades 5-8.
Author Deborah Hopkinson chronicles the experiences of American prisoners of war in the Philippines during World War II in this engaging narrative nonfiction title. Letters, oral histories, interviews, maps and photographs are utilized to help tell the stories of American and Filipino soldiers and civilians, men, and women, in the days, months, and years following America’s entry into the war. Readers follow the experiences of soldiers, army doctors and nurses, American and Filipino civilians, guerilla fighters, and others, before, during, and after the Battle of Bataan. The forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war on what became known as the Bataan Death March, as well as their experiences in the prisoner of war camps O’Donnell and Cabanatuan are also recounted. The final portion of the book chronicles a daring rescue operation undertaken by American troops and Filipino guerrilla fighters in early 1945 to rescue all POWs remaining in the Cabanatuan camp. Backmatter includes a bibliography. Suggested web resources are shared through the text.
THOUGHTS: This highly engaging title is a perfect choice for history, World War II and/or narrative nonfiction aficionados. The incorporation of primary source accounts throughout the text gives readers a real sense of the impact of the war on different parts of society. A first purchase for any library serving middle grade readers.
940.54 World War II