What If You Were on the African Front in World War II
By (Author) Allison Lassieur
Capstone Press
Stone Arch Books
1st January 2023
United States
Children
Non Fiction
Childrens / Teenage general interest: Adventurers and outlaws
940.54231
Paperback
112
Width 130mm, Height 198mm
Most people think of World War II battles raging in Europe and the Pacific. One lesser known but very important front was along the coasts of Northern Africa. Control of that area allowed supply ships to get much needed food weapons and supplies to forces into Europe. You have joined the Allied Forces in fighting for this land. YOU CHOOSE what to do amidst the action. See if you have what it takes to help control the area
Various World War II scenarios are explored in these volumes, placing readers on the front lines in Africa, Europe, the Pacific, and Russia and allowing them to choose their roles and subsequent actions in these combat zones. Choices include nurse, saboteur, pilot, scout, and photographer. The narratives for each option describe the circumstances the protagonist (the reader) finds themselves in and the decisions readers makes can end in success, disgrace, or death. The authors do a fine job creating suspense and presenting the grizzly details of the realities of war, with characters being shot, injured in bomb attacks, captured, and even killed. More importantly, they demonstrate how critical and necessarily spontaneous decisions can determine the outcome of life and death situations. However, the value of readers' experiences is dependent on their appreciation for the "You Choose" construct, and while many will enjoy this format, others may find the constant flipping of pages a nuisance and be confused or discouraged from continuing, despite the intriguing narratives. Maps at the conclusion of each volume provide locations, although the map in What If You Were on the European Front contains glaring errors, labeling the Battle of the Bulge as being in south central France. VERDICT The engaging tales provided will intrigue and inform readers who enjoy the "You Choose" series and selectors should base their purchase decisions on the popularity of the titles, although the erroneous map in The European Front makes it a questionable choice.--Margaret Nunes, formerly at Gwinnett Public Library, GA "School Library Journal"
Allison Lassieur has never had pop-star dreams, but she once sang in a choir that went on a multi-state tour on the way to Walt Disney World. Today she's an award-winning author of more than 150 history and non-fiction books about everything from Ancient Rome to the International Space Station. Her books have received several Kirkus starred reviews and Booklist recommendations, and her historical novel Journey to a Promised Land was awarded the 2020 Kansas Library Association Notable Book Award, and Library of Congress Great Reads Book selection. Allison lives in upstate New York with her husband, daughter, a scruffy, loveable mutt named Jingle Jack, and more books than she can count.