The Six Triple Eight: A True Story of the Black Woman Battalion of World War II

by Tonya Abari Narrated by Jade Wheeler

Overview

A powerful account of the resilience and dedication of the unsung Black heroines who played a major role in World War II. Perfect for fans of Hidden Figures, Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, and Tyler Perry's blockbuster film The Six Triple Eight.

In 1943, the United States was facing a unique wartime crisis-too much mail! Millions of letters and packages, stacked from floor to ceiling, sat unsent in cold, dark warehouses, with no one to sort through the backlog and no way to deliver mail to the troops.

Enter the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Formed of Black women who had advocated fiercely for their right to enlist in the U.S. military, the “Six Triple Eight” battalion had one special task: sort and send the mail. It wasn't easy, but the Six Triple Eight got to work!

Putting in long hours to send out each piece of mail in record time, they had a four-word motto that powered them through: “No mail, low morale!” As they helped deliver support to the soldiers on the frontlines, these women proved there was nothing they couldn't do!

Former teacher turned multigenre writer and editor Tonya Abari and debut illustrator Lance Evans honor these women with a stunning nonfiction book sure to educate and inspire future generations.

The Six Triple Eight is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A worthy read that bears witness to the brave women of the Six Triple Eight. — Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

2025-07-19
An inspiring chronicle of the all-women, African American 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which saved the U.S. mail system during World War II.

By 1945, mail delivery in Europe had stalled. Weary soldiers were becoming homesick. But “powerful people came up with a powerful plan” to put someone new on the job—the 6888th (referred to here as the Six Triple Eight). With the rallying cry “no mail, low morale,” these women cleared the enormous mail backlog, first in England and then in France. Overcoming challenges including racism and cold conditions, they redirected more than 17 million pieces of mail. While few remembered the women who were “the glue for service members,” with this admirable introduction to their significant contributions, Abari ensures that they will never be forgotten. She establishes a comprehensible timeline that covers huge swaths of information, including “Rosie the Riveter,” segregation, collaboration between civil rights activists and politicians, and more. The narrative occasionally feels a little bulky, and the book’s framing is somewhat bewildering. It opens by naming six members of the Six Triple Eight, but it doesn’t explicitly state why these particular women were chosen or the roles of all six. Thankfully the backmatter fills in those gaps with verve and clarity. Evans’ handsome, desaturated digital art evokes the period aesthetic of old-time war posters. Creamy backgrounds and angular, overlapping portraits create an appropriate tone of solemnity.

A worthy read that bears witness to the brave women of the Six Triple Eight. (timeline, glossary, more to explore, sources)(Informational picture book. 6-9)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940194370498
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/07/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years