WOMEN HEROES OF WORLD WAR II

Millions of women made invaluable contributions during World War II working as civilians on the home front, but the 26 women profiled in this collective biography served on the front lines and behind enemy lines in Europe as correspondents, couriers, propagandists, Resistance fighters, saboteurs and spies. Josephine Baker, the beautiful and glamorous African-American entertainer, was living in Paris as an expatriate when she began collecting intelligence for the French Resistance. After saying "never" to Hitler's invitation to become a Nazi film star, Marlene Dietrich promptly renounced her German citizenship. While entertaining troops overseas with the U.S.O., Dietrich also worked with the Office of Strategic Services to undermine German morale. Lesser known but equally fascinating is Noor Inayat Khan, daughter of an Indian-born father and American mother, who spied for Britain. Atwood also includes several "Righteous Gentiles" who risked their lives rescuing and hiding Jews. The profiles are organized geographically, with Germany, Poland, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain and the United States represented. Each profile is four to six pages in length, includes a photograph of the subject and concludes with a list of books and websites for further reading. Atwood's admiration and enthusiasm for her subjects is apparent in these engaging profiles, and readers will likely be inspired to investigate these fascinating women further. (glossary, notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)