Kaia Alderson's debut historical fiction novel reveals the untold, true story of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women's Army Corps, who made the dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones during World War II.
Grace Steele and Eliza Jones may be from completely different backgrounds, but when it comes to the army, specifically the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), they are both starting from the same level. Not only will they be among the first class of female officers the army has even seen, they are also the first Black women allowed to serve.
As these courageous women help to form the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, they are dealing with more than just army bureaucracy—everyone is determined to see this experiment fail. For two northern women, learning to navigate their way through the segregated army may be tougher than boot camp. Grace and Eliza know that there is no room for error; they must be more perfect than everyone else.
When they finally make it overseas, to England and then France, Grace and Eliza will at last be able to do their parts for the country they love, whatever the risk to themselves.
Based on the true story of the 6888th Postal Battalion (the Six Triple Eight), Sisters in Arms explores the untold story of what life was like for the only all-Black, female U.S. battalion to be deployed overseas during World War II.
Kaia Alderson's debut historical fiction novel reveals the untold, true story of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women's Army Corps, who made the dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones during World War II.
Grace Steele and Eliza Jones may be from completely different backgrounds, but when it comes to the army, specifically the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), they are both starting from the same level. Not only will they be among the first class of female officers the army has even seen, they are also the first Black women allowed to serve.
As these courageous women help to form the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, they are dealing with more than just army bureaucracy—everyone is determined to see this experiment fail. For two northern women, learning to navigate their way through the segregated army may be tougher than boot camp. Grace and Eliza know that there is no room for error; they must be more perfect than everyone else.
When they finally make it overseas, to England and then France, Grace and Eliza will at last be able to do their parts for the country they love, whatever the risk to themselves.
Based on the true story of the 6888th Postal Battalion (the Six Triple Eight), Sisters in Arms explores the untold story of what life was like for the only all-Black, female U.S. battalion to be deployed overseas during World War II.
Reviews-
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June 14, 2021
Alderson’s impressive debut follows two New York City women who join the Army’s first all-Black officer candidate school during WWII. In 1942, pianist Grace Steele, 26, fumbles her Juilliard audition after learning that her brother died in the war, then joins the Six Triple Eight Battalion of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Wealthy society reporter Eliza Jones, 23, whose father is the publisher of her newspaper and won’t allow her to take on assignments of any substance, also accepts the Army’s call. The women forge a rocky friendship while navigating the segregated organization, where tented table cards labeled “Coloreds” are placed on mess tables near the latrines. The company closes ranks when their major is almost court-martialed after “backtalking” a general, and succeed in having the charge dropped. Descriptions of boot camp and a U-boat chase during their voyage to Europe are standouts before the battalion is charged with a dangerous mission distributing mail to troops in England and France. Though the dialogue can feel underdeveloped, Alderson impresses with her account of trailblazing Black characters who battle racism and misogyny. The adventures of the Six Triple Eight will captivate readers. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary -
June 15, 2021
As the United States heads into World War II, two Black women in Harlem are dissatisfied with their career prospects. Although she's a brilliant pianist, Grace Steele freezes at her Juilliard audition and fears to confess her failure to her mother, who's already distraught about son Tony's disappearance in the Philippines. Eliza Jones is warring with her employer and father, the editor and publisher of a prominent Black newspaper, because he's relegated her to covering the society beat. Grace and Eliza meet as new recruits to the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, where each hopes to alter her destiny. But as they enter training, even as relatively privileged officer candidates, they soon learn that racial and sex discrimination have followed them into the armed forces. Although prominent African Americans like Mary McLeod Bethune urge enlistment in the WACs to advance "the race," the government reneges on its promise to not segregate the WACs. The main arc of the episodic plot is the conflicted friendship between Grace and Eliza. There is a push-pull between them, instant dislike at first, followed by personality clashes--Eliza thinks Grace is rigid and arrogant, Grace resents Eliza's spoiled, upper-class attitude. Then both, unthinkingly, inflict grievous harm on the other. Eliza blames Grace for failing to warn her about disembarking, alone, at a deserted Kentucky train station, where she is savagely beaten. Later, Eliza will, unintentionally, put Grace in jeopardy in a manner that is equally mystifying and contrived. The language throughout is overly expository and repetitious. But the author fulfills her stated intent to shed light on "hidden figures," in this case, the trajectory of the WAC in general and the empowerment, however provisional, with which it "armed" its soldiers, who weren't allowed to bear actual arms. Calls long overdue attention to the Black women veterans of World War II.COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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Starred review from July 1, 2021
Alderson's emotional historical-fiction debut tells of the brave and daring all-female Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) during WWII, and its all-Black unit. Grace and Eliza come from totally different backgrounds, yet they are both determined to make something of themselves in the WAAC. Grace is a musical genius, though her love of composing jazz far outweighs her mother's desire for her to become a classical concert pianist. Eliza yearns to report on more than society gatherings for her father's newspaper, but once she gets a breaking news piece, he doesn't even credit her as the reporter. Both women decide they want to do something bigger and they find themselves training to be part of the first class of female officers in the army. Based on the true story of the 6888th Postal Battalion, Sisters in Arms gives readers an inside look at the racial injustices and rigors of wartime that the women battled. Alderson sweeps readers in with Grace and Eliza's personal journeys through a little-known portion of our army's history. Themes of female friendship, bravery, and resilience radiate from the pages of this magnificent novel.COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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August 1, 2021
DEBUT In Manhattan in July 1942, Grace Steele receives an invitation to join the new Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). As a Black woman, she's finding it nearly impossible to get a teaching job. Her mother's dream for her (to be a concert pianist) likely died with her recent botched Juilliard audition. Grieving the wartime death of her brother Tony is nearly unbearable; facing her mother's grief is impossible. Across town, Harlem journalist Eliza Jones, who was raised in her family's newspaper business, chafes against her father's rules; she's ready to make her own mark on the world. Eliza and Grace couldn't be more different, but their choices bring them together where others root for their failure. They're assigned to WAAC's 6888th Central Postal Division, where their herculean task is delivering mail with incomplete addresses to U.S. soldiers overseas. VERDICT Based on the true story of the 6888th, Alderson's debut tells of the first women officers in the armed services (also the first Black women to serve, and the only all-Black, female U.S. battalion deployed overseas in World War II). For fans of Hidden Figures and untold stories of heroes and heroines of World War II.--Julie Kane, Washington & Lee Lib., Lexington, VA
Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Narrator Shayna Small channels the strength and tenacity of the trailblazing Black women who served at home and abroad in the historic Six Triple Eight Battalion of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. New recruits Eliza and Grace are thrown together during training and their eventual deployment as part of the 6888th. Their initially rocky relationship grows into sisterhood, with both women committed to serving their country and their race with integrity and resolve. Aside from some weak British accents, Small's characterizations are spot-on, bringing out Eliza's snappy confidence and Grace's measured reserve. The production is somewhat marred by volume changes and an echoey quality that may pull listeners out of the story. Even so, most will be captivated by this little-known chapter in American history. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
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December 1, 2021
This historical novel follows two young Black women through their recruitment, enlistment, and service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, later the Women's Army Corps, during World War II. Grace, a headstrong pianist mourning the recent loss of her brother in battle, and Eliza, a spunky aspiring news reporter with overprotective parents, meet at a WAC recruitment center in New York City in 1942. Despite a few initial disagreements, the two women form a bond that will endure through their service, which takes them from Iowa to the Eastern Seaboard and, eventually, all the way to Europe. With the other Black WAC members, who made up only five percent of women in service during World War II, Grace and Eliza face segregation and prejudice in addition to the universal challenges of wartime. Alderson draws from the available historical information on Black WAC members to paint a full picture of these women's experiences, and includes a robust reference section at the novel's end. Many secondary characters are based on real people. This historical accuracy is, however, somewhat undermined with a generous dose of creative license. A few elements, including the women's romantic interests and an improbable twist ending, feel unnecessary and out of place in the plot. While the novel is aimed at adults, teens will not struggle with its language or themes. VERDICT This book provides an entertaining, informative look at underrepresented and underreported Black stories from World War II. The importance of its subject matter certainly outweighs some shortcomings in storytelling.-Mary Kamela, Kenmore West High Sch., Buffalo, NY
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
