"World War II famously gave rise to human atrocities such as the Holocaust and the atomic bomb, but it also became a proving ground for heroes who refused to back down from the fight against evil. This title tells the stories of many of these brave soldiers and noncombatants. The first half shares stories of individuals from the war, two of which are previously untold. The second half focuses on often overlooked groups such as the Navajo code talkers and the Purple Heart Battalion. The short biographical sketches are well cited. Difficult topics such as torture and personal loss are approached with grace by neither glossing over nor overly examining the experiences. Each individual or group story includes background information, giving readers a chance to see what elements led up to their heroic acts and service during the conflict. A solid primer for those just learning about World War II, this collection also offers new stories that will interest even the most avid history buff." —School Library Journal