Book Band: Dark Red (ideal for ages 10+) _______________ The story of WWII starring the brilliant pilots you've never heard of... the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) who battled against the odds to get the air force's planes to the front lines. This coming-of-age tale is perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Michael Morpurgo and Hilary McKay. _______________ October, 1942. When twelve-year-old Billie is out exploring with her pet chicken, she sees a plane crash into a field and is left wondering if the pilot even survived. Determined to find out more, Billie finds a way into the ATA - a group of amazing pilots who defy the odds to get planes from the factories to the front lines - and her life changes for ever. Some of the pilots are men who are too old, or too injured for the air force. But many more are women. Intrepid, inspiring women who show Billie what she might grow up to become. With missions including ferrying turkeys over from Ireland and flying unfamiliar, broken planes, Billie is desperate to help. But piloting fighter planes could turn out to be more than she bargained for...

A gripping and empowering coming-of-age WWII adventure about the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Michael Morpurgo and Hilary McKay.

About the Author
Iszi Lawrence (@iszi_lawrence) is a writer, comedian, podcaster and history presenter. She is a regular on TV history documentaries including shows for Sky History, Netflix, Yesterday and the Smithsonian Channel. She was co-host of BBC Radio 4's flagship show, Making History with Tom Holland and presents Your Place or Mine with Shaun Keaveny (BBC R4 and Sounds). Her podcasts include The British Museum Membercast and popular science podcast Terrible Lizards with Dr Dave Hone. She is the author of four adventurous and funny middle grade children's novels including Blackbeard's Treasure (which was selected as Blackwell's Children's Book of the Month) and a quirky series for 6-9 year olds, The Time Machine Next Door, all published by Bloomsbury. She is a regular visitor to schools and runs history and historical fiction workshops for Key Stage 2 and 3 students. Visit her website: iszi.com to find out more.

Reviews
Truly inspiring, full of the spirit of the time and with so many real life people who were the inspiration for Iszi Lawrence's characters, this is a book that brilliantly evokes a part of history where relatively little of the fictional focus has been on women. It helps to bring their contribution to the notice of today's readers, many of whom won't be much younger than Billie herself. Definitely a book I recommend for anyone learning about WW2 at school, either as a class read aloud or a solo read; and for home reading by children who love an exciting tale. -- Jill R Bennett * Red Reading Hub *
It is brimming with historical detail and really highlights the heroic nature of some very inspirational women. It would be an excellent class story that would provide children with a tale about a thrilling war-time adventure. -- Haley * Reading Zone *
If you want oodles of girl power packed in a historical fiction novel and a fresh perspective from a WWII pilot, then this is the book for you and your child(ren)! -- Sidra Ansari
PRAISE FOR BLACKBEARD'S TREASURE This is children's fiction at its best ... Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson. * The Lady *
PRAISE FOR THE UNSTOPPABLE LETTY PEGG Letty and her friends and rivals are great characters, as are the real life people she comes across at different times in her adventures. Thoroughly recommended. -- Andrea Reece * Books for Keeps *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472988171
Author Iszi Lawrence
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Bloomsbury Education
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 302g