World War II Close Up: They Battled in Blizzards

$22.10
by Deborah Hopkinson

Shop Now
Award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson brings to life the stories of the men who fought in World War II's Battle of the Bulge, attacked without warning, weathering deadly blizzards, and facing an enemy who had nothing to lose. Perfect for fans of the I Survived series! In the dead of winter, deep in the Forest of Ardennes, as the devastation of World War II drew to a close, a desperate Nazi army launches a surprise attack on Allied forces in the early morning hours of December 16th. As the ground is blown apart by mortar shells and an endless curtain of bullets rains down upon them, the mostly young, inexperienced, and exhausted Allied soldiers must take up arms against the Nazis. Blinded by dangerous blizzards and hampered by the rough terrain, they fight to hold their positions until reinforcements arrive. But deadly weather conditions and the suprise attack make matters difficult, and soon, the Allied forces are overwhelmed -- outmanned, outgunned, and underprepared. As winter continues and the Battle of the Bulge rages on, it will take an unprecedented combination of determination, grit, and unimaginable courage to thwart the Nazis's plans and defeat them, once and for all. Sibert Honor author Deborah Hopkinson transports readers to the blistering cold of Belgium's Ardennes Forest with this daring examination of one of the most infamous battles in history. Drawing on the true accounts of soldiers and nurses and others who lived to tell the tale, and featuring rare photographs, Deborah Hopkinson seamlessly weaves together the stories of the men and women who risked everything. They Battled in Blizzards is sure to thrill every history fan! Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future. Praise for World War II Close Up: They Battled in Blizzards : "A thoroughly researched, unusually close-to-the-ground glimpse into one of World War II's most notoriously brutal battles." -- Kirkus Reviews Praise for We Must Not Forget : * "Inspiring and moving." -- Booklist , starred review "Hopkinson has created a rich resource for teachers, librarians, and students." -- The Horn Book "An important and timely book." -- School Library Journal Praise for We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport : * "Historical context, personal stories, and letters are seamlessly integrated in this history of frightened refugee children in a new land and their brave parents' making 'the heart-wrenching decision' to send their children away with strangers to a foreign country. Well-crafted, accessible, and essential." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review "[A] moving tribute to the organizers of the Kindertransport and to the courage of the children involved. Generously illustrated with black-and-white photographs, the book is extremely well researched and a valuable contribution to Holocaust literature." -- Booklist Praise for D-Day: The WWII Invasion That Changed History : * "Hopkinson has compiled a comprehensive and absorbing overview... this insightful title, chock-full of primary sources, is a strong purchase." -- School Library Journal , starred review "Hopkinson is particularly adept at directing attention to the stories behind the heroic stories." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "How does an author sequentially chronicle multiple, rapidly developing, and simultaneous events and maintain not just coherence, but suspense? Hopkinson employs her signature kaleidoscopic style effectively here: synthesizing complex events into a compelling narrative arc, and sampling myriad voices to add texture and color to the story, while never losing sight of the bigger picture." -- The Horn Book "Such major figures as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley get plenty of attention, but more is given to the experiences of the soldiers who waded ashore under fire or parachuted behind enemy lines. Hopkinson weaves their personal accounts with those of observations by Ernie Pyle and others to bring the invasion vividly to life... An attractively packaged, engrossing history that will appeal to readers fascinated with military strategy." -- Kirkus Reviews "With thoroughness and clarity, this title brings D-Day into focus by breaking it down into components and focusing on human voices and perspectives... provides a wealth of information clearly presented alongside many black and white photos, resulting in an engaging read even for those who may not be interested in a book about military history. The complexity of the historical task undertaken, the challenges of the terrain, and

Customer Reviews

No ratings. Be the first to rate

 customer ratings


How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review This Product

Share your thoughts with other customers