Women Heroes of World War II: 26 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue

by Kathryn J. Atwood

Overview

• An Amelia Bloomer List Recommended Title
• A VOYA Nonfiction Honor List Selection

Noor Inayat Khan was the first female radio operator sent into occupied France and transferred crucial messages. Johtje Vos, a Dutch housewife, hid Jews in her home and repeatedly outsmarted the Gestapo. Law student Hannie Schaft became involved in the most dangerous resistance work—sabotage, weapons transference, and assassinations. In these pages, young readers will meet these and many other similarly courageous women and girls who risked their lives to help defeat the Nazis.

Twenty-six engaging and suspense-filled stories unfold from across Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, and the United States, providing an inspiring reminder of women and girls’ refusal to sit on the sidelines around the world and throughout history.

An overview of World War II and summaries of each country’s entrance and involvement in the war provide a framework for better understanding each woman’s unique circumstances, and resources for further learning follow each profile. Women Heroes of World War II is an invaluable addition to any student’s or history buff’s bookshelf.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613745236
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/01/2013
Series:	Women of Action Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	1180L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kathryn J. Atwood is an educator and writer who has contributed to PopMatters.com; War, Literature, and the Arts; Midwest Book Review; and Women’s Independent Press.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I Germany 9

The White Rose Sophie Scholl 14

The Countess Who Hid Jews Maria von Maltzan 24

Part II Poland 31

"Only a Young Girl" Irene Gut 35

Life in a Jar Irena Sendler 43

The Teen Who Hid Thirteen Stefania Podgorska 49

Part III France 57

"Only a Woman" Marie-Madeleine Fourcade 61

Agent Rose Andrée Virol 68

Spy Singer Josephine Baker 75

Wife, Mother, Teacher, Rescuer Magda Trocmé 82

Part IV The Netherland 89

Courier for the Dutch Resistance Diet Eman 94

The Symbol of the Resistance Hannie Schaft 102

A Group Effort Johtje Vos 109

Watchmaker, Rescuer, Reconciler Corrie ten Boom 116

Part V Belgium 125

The Comet Line Andrée de Jongh 129

Partisan Courier Hortense Daman 135

The Teen with the Bold Voice Fernande Keufgens 141

Part VI Denmark 147

Irish Heroine of the Danish Resistance Monica Wichfeld 151

The Girl with the Red Cap Ebba Lund 158

Part VII Great Britain 165

Royal Agent Noor Inayat Khan 170

The White Mouse Nancy Wake 177

The Courier Who Became d Leader Pearl Witherington 184

Part VIII The United States 193

The Most Dangerous Allied Agent Virginia Hall 197

U.S. Army Nurse Muriel Phillips 204

"The Only Important Thing" Marlene Dietrich 213

Slovak for the OSS Maria Gulovich 221

War Correspondent Martha Gellhorn 229

Acknowledgments 239

Glossary 241

Notes 247

Bibliography 255

Index 259

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Inspiring accounts of the lives of women—some of them still in their teens—whose courage made a difference in the dark days of World War II.”  —Rita Kramer, author of Flames in the Field: The Story of Four SOE Agents in Occupied France

“Each story has been meticulously researched. . . . This is a great read for students who like adventure or are researching World War II.”  —VOYA, Voices of Youth Advocate reviews

“These stories will restore your faith in the human spirit and encourage us all to remember to do what is right. . . . [A] must read for anyone who has ever asked themselves: ‘What can I do? Can one person really make a difference?’”  —Kenneth Koskodan, author of No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland’s Forces in World War II

“Adds a vital dimension to more traditional titles on the war. It will appeal to browsers seeking adventure tales while also enriching classes in history and women’s studies, and units on war and peace...Recommended”  —Library Media Connection

“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.”  —Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Inspiring accounts of the lives of women—some of them still in their teens—whose courage made a difference in the dark days of World War II.”  —Rita Kramer, author of Flames in the Field: The Story of Four SOE Agents in Occupied France

“Each story has been meticulously researched. . . . This is a great read for students who like adventure or are researching World War II.”  —VOYA, Voices of Youth Advocate reviews

“These stories will restore your faith in the human spirit and encourage us all to remember to do what is right. . . . [A] must read for anyone who has ever asked themselves: ‘What can I do? Can one person really make a difference?’”  —Kenneth Koskodan, author of No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland’s Forces in World War II

“Adds a vital dimension to more traditional titles on the war. It will appeal to browsers seeking adventure tales while also enriching classes in history and women’s studies, and units on war and peace...Recommended”  —Library Media Connection

“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.”  —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Gr 6 Up—After a brief introduction about the war in Europe, this book is divided into eight chapters, each focusing on a specific country, including Germany, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, and the United States. Women from each of these countries played important roles in the war effort working in the resistance movement, as spies, as couriers, or as correspondents. A few of the individuals are well known, such as the entertainer Josephine Baker, who collected information for the Allies, and actress Marlene Dietrich, who entertained the troops, but most were ordinary citizens who saw a need and stepped up to join the fight against the Nazis. Each profile reports on the woman's war activities and rounds out the story by telling about her life after the war. Sidebars and photographs are scattered throughout and documented quotations and excerpts from notes and letters are utilized. —Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

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