Valor Wings

by Sam Subity

A thrilling WWII adventure that reimagines the evacuation of Dunkirk... with dragons!

May 10, 1940

Everyone in Iris's small English village avoids the dragon in the woods. Everyone, that is, except for Iris. She knows Galahad would never hurt her--she's been caring for the dragon since he lost his mother when he was a baby. When Galahad is accused of stealing military rations, Iris strikes a bargain that will spare Galahad's life... but send him off to the war brewing in Europe. Soon after, she receives news that her brother is among the troops trapped in France by the advancing German troops. Refusing to give up hope, Iris devises a desperate plan that will either save both her brother and her best friend--or end in disaster.

Meanwhile in Belgium, Max's school day is abruptly interrupted by some terrifying news: The Germans have invaded his country. He and his grandmother are forced to flee for their lives west toward France where they hope to find safety. But when they are separated after a German attack, Max must continue the treacherous journey on his own.

Across hundreds of miles, the stories of Iris and Max steadily converge toward an explosive conclusion that will change them both forever. Along the way, they each must find the inner strength and resolve--the valor--to do the impossible. Author Sam Subity blends history and fantasy to tell a story like no other--an exhilarating adventure about the power of friendship, hope, and courage.


Across hundreds of miles, the stories of Iris and Max steadily converge toward an explosive conclusion that will change them both forever. Along the way, they each must find the inner strength and resolve--the valor--to do the impossible. Author Sam Subity blends history and fantasy to tell a story like no other--an exhilarating adventure about the power of friendship, hope, and courage.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Dragons, Adventure, Childrens

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dunkirk with dragons! Sam Subity’s VALOR WINGS has it all: adventure, fantasy, history, and cliffhangers that will have young readers turning pages way past their bedtimes. The world is so richly imagined. Themes of bravery and valor will inspire. And I loved that the valor in question is shown largely by the female protagonists. My thanks to Scholastic and the author for the advanced read.

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a homeschool mom 📚, I’m always on the hunt for books that I can share with my kids, and Valor Wings just screamed perfect!🐉

I’m already planning a novel study around it so I can relive the magic again and help my kids fall in love with it too.💖

💞Dual POV ✔️
🐲 Dragons ✔️
🔥WWII ✔️

I mean, how could I resist?! Sam Subity totally blew me away with this one.

🐉Iris and her dragon bestie, Galahad, stole my heart—her mission to save her brother trapped in Dunkirk while navigating the brewing war with a DRAGON had me on the edge of my seat.

And Max’s journey to safety?😱 Cue all the emotions. This book had everything!

Adventure? ✔️
Heart-stopping cliffhangers? ✔️ Unforgettable characters? ✔️
AND DRAGONS ✔️ (because, duh, they make everything better!)

The way Iris and Max’s stories collide is pure magic ✨. From Max’s sweet bond with his pup 🐶 to Iris’s fierce determination, you won’t want to put it down. Every chapter felt like a mini explosion of action and feels!💥

The historical twist with dragons made history come alive like never before!

🐉Valor Wings isn’t just an exhilarating adventure; it’s a tale of friendship, courage, and the kind of hope that can light up even the darkest times. SO worth the read!! 🤩
I’m seriously in love with this book!

Can’t wait to dive back in with my kids for the ultimate homeschool read-aloud📖❤️.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn into this story about the evacuation of Dunkirk because I love WWII history. But I know my students are going to want to read it because, hello? Dragons! This book would make a great read aloud because every chapter is filled with action and heart-stopping-cliffhangers. Each chapter is told from the perspective of Iris and Max whose stories will converge toward an explosive conclusion. They must find the inner strength - the valor to do the impossible.
I cannot wait to share it with my students!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's important that I establish something right away. I hate WWII books and can't stand fantasy, so combine those two and you're basically left with the ingredients of the worst book I could possibly think to read.

I'm happy to report that was not the case at all. This book didn't leave me all of a sudden craving dragons and I'm not excitedly going to dive into a WWII novel anytime soon, but I will say that I appreciated the aspects of Dunkirk in this book a million times more than the confusion of a Christopher Nolan movie I once painfully watched.

I'm excited to meet this author in the fall and I can't wait to get his take on this adventure, but until then I'm left thinking that this book wasn't my cup of tea, but I was still able to drink it and not spit it out.

[Megan Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling page-turner will delight middle grade history and fantasy fans alike!

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling ride this book is. Sam takes a winning concept (Dunkirk with dragons!) and truly blows it out of the water. On the one hand it’s unputdownable – every chapter seems to end with a cliffhanger and the dual POV only further fuels its pace. On the other hand, there are so many thoughtful, tender, memorable moments between his wonderfully-realized characters as they grapple with war and its effects on family and friendship. And then of course there are the dragons! So many dragons and an unforgettable climax that felt cinematic in its spectacle. I couldn’t put this one down and it’s going to stay with me for quite some time.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so much love for this book! What a unique idea, to blend historical fiction with dragons. My students and I both love a good dragon story, and this one hits all the right notes. Readers will fall in love with Galahad, and will be on the edge of their seats at the end of each chapter. Another must read by Sam Subity!

[David S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique and intriguing historical fantasy incorporates two of young readers' favorite subjects: World War II and dragons! A multi-perspective action adventure is sure to thrill middle grade readers. Fans of Alan Gratz will appreciate the story telling in a great historical setting but with an added fantastical element making it unlike any other book.

[Christiana Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dunkirk with Dragons. I had scarcely opened the ARC before my 8yo swept in and demanded to know what this book was. She proceeded to take it from me, and devour it over the next three days, refusing to let me read at the same time as her. She loved it, and thinks it should be made into a movie.

After she finally finished, I was able to sneak this title back from her and read myself. Sam Subity has a true knack for cliffhangers. I loved the way he combined light fantasy with World War II history. You will not want to miss joining Iris, Maud, and others on the journey to save their brothers from the Nazi invaders. A great action packed adventure!

[Payal Doshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valor Wings was just the book I needed to get out of my reading slump! This fantastic blend of historical fiction and fantasy follows the lives of Iris, a 12-year-old girl from England, and Max, a 12-year-old boy from Belgium. Told from both their perspectives, it illuminates the lives of ordinary people caught in the barbed frays of war. But there's a twist: there are dragons! Author Sam Subity has woven a tale that not only transports the reader to the heart of WWII, when Germany was advancing and Allies' families were sending their men to battle but also pulls at our heartstrings. We follow Iris as she desperately tries to save her best friend, Galahad, a dragon, while also trying to rescue her brother, who is fighting in the war. Meanwhile, Max tries to escape to safety with his grandmother. Valor Wings has the feel of a classic children's novel, one that will be cherished for years to come. It is a tale full of adventure, fantasy, friendship, family, and, most wonderfully, young women of valor. I absolutely loved this book!

[Alysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

VALOR WINGS is the perfect blend of history, fantasy, and heart-stopping action— an unputtable-down book. Then Subity added fearless girls and boys with big beautiful hearts further turning up the tension. But the real show-stopper here, and what will make it a favorite with fantasy and history fans alike are the dragons! I loved this reimagining of the battle of Dunkirk and know readers of all ages will too!

Thank you to Scholastic and the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced reader copy!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a blast tearing through the pages of this historical, fantastical story of WWII with dragons. From the first line, Subity masterfully sets a world where dragons are a fact of life (even if some don’t appreciate that fact!) and boom! We rush headlong into high stakes action. Told in alternating points of view, this story weaves together faraway families, dragons and a shared commitment defeating an evil regime - all while staying alive. A page turning romp kids will love.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this thrilling, adventurous historical fantasy reimagining the evacuation of Dunkirk with dragons. Sam Subity has crafted a compelling story with brave girls and boys fighting for their country and their families, while using their ingenuity and empathy, and friendship with dragons. What more could a reader ask for? I highly recommend it.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

It's 1940, and things in Europe are becoming dire. In alternating story lines, we meet Iris, who lives in England and is taking care of the last dragon in the area, whom she has named Galahad. Dragons used to be more widespread, but were accused of killing livestock and spreading disease, and were driven off before Iris was born. Her mother has passed away, and her father and older brother Jamie are working on the family farm. When people find Galahad, he ends up in the possession of the army, directed in the area by General (Colonel? I had to read this through Edelweiss Shelf and can't easily go back and find things.)Stephenson, whose daughter Maud warns Iris that it is pointless to fight for the dragon. To make matters worse, Jamie enlists to fight, although it is some consolation that he is supposed to be Galahad's handler. In Belgium, we meet Max, who has been sent to live with his grandmother while his parents are working in the Resistance in Germany. When the Germans come to their town, headed by General Wyvern, the two take a few belongings, as well as Max's dog Plum, and leave, since they are Jewish. The plan is to head to France, but instead of just going over the border, they are going all the way to Dunkirk. When Jamie ships out without Galahad, Iris gets permission to train the dragon to help with the army, and Maud works with her. It isn't until Iris is in danger that Galahad manages to fly. Max has several harrowing experiences, is separated from his grandmother, and ends up with Jamie and Maud's brother Jack as they work their way through France toward Dunkirk in the rear guard. When Galahad almost perishes in a burning barn, Iris and Maud both ride off to find the fabled herd of dragons; when they do, the leader, Belrath, says he knew Iris' mother Charlotte, and might help to rescue soldiers, but says it will take some time to make the decision. This is time that the girls don't have. Riding Galahad, and Belrath's daughter, Malory, the two take off to Dunkirk. Will they be able to find and save their brothers?
Strengths: Subity dives right into the action, and has us suspend disbelief about the dragons right away. The alternating story lines are both well developed, and meet in a satisfying way. This also gives us a good look at two sides of the preparations for Dunkirk; both the English side, with Iris' father getting their sailboat ready, and the French side, where Jamie and Jack are trying to blow up bridges so the Germans can't use them. The chapters end on cliff hangers, so readers will be frantically reading to find out what happened next. There's no lack of explosions, treacherous falls, planes strafing the area, and other exciting things that are essential to a good World War II book. Surprisingly, there is a strong feminist element as well, with Iris and Maud referring to themselves as "women of valor". This is well paced and exciting, and dragons are always popular with my readers.
Weaknesses: As an adult reader, there were a lot of coincidences that seemed unlikely, even though they make for a happy ending. I was also a little confused at the beginning when villagers called Iris "dragon girl" under their breath, but it also seemed like Galahad was supposed to be a big secret. Young Readers won't mind either thing. (I was also overly concerned about Plum and thought it unlikely that he and Max wouldn't get separated.)
What I really think: This reminds me strongly of Len Lamensdorf's Will to Conquer series, but I can't think of any other World War II books the Brasheres' 2024 Westfallen or Scarrow's Time Riders. Fans of Subity's The Last Shadow Warrior will enjoy this, as will readers wanting dragons, or a fresh look at the battle of Dunkirk. (Although I'm still a fan of Tunis' 1962 Silence Over Dunkerque [sic].)

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris loves her unusual scaled friend, Galahad. Though the fact he's a dragon scares some of the villagers, Iris knows he has a gentle heart and doesn't steal sheep to be mean. But the villagers don't understand that, and want him gone. The local military leader, Major Stevenson, decides to help catch him. If Iris can prove Galahad can fly, the major will use him in the upcoming offensive against the Nazis at Dunkirk, if not, the dragon will be killed. Iris has been trying to teach Galahad to fly, but she isn't a dragon and all the other dragons who used to live in the area got driven off by the villagers years ago. Can she teach Galahad to fly in time, and maybe find a way to fight the Nazis with him? She's joined in her mission by the major's granddaughter Maud and some other unlikely friends.
On the continent, Max and his grandmother are heading to Dunkirk after the Nazis invaded their Belgium home town. Because of their Jewish heritage, they are in danger. Their trip is not easy, and they get separated along the way. Max keeps heading for their goal where his grandmother said she'd meet him, but little does Max know the Germans and British are also headed to Dunkirk for a major conflict.

This was such a creative reimagined history of Dunkirk with dragons. The addition of dragons is really the only thing Subity changed, the rest pretty accurately reflects history. Iris' brother Jamie and Maud's brother Jack are both British soldiers who already landed near Dunkirk before the conflict, they are among the soldiers that the small boat owners have been recruited to help rescue; their presence there adds fire to Iris and Maud's motivation to get Galahad flying and under their control. Max is picked up by Jamie and Jack's troop so eventually all the characters come together. There's a German leader who really wants the dragons once he sees them, so that ups the tension and conflict a bit. An informative and entertaining reimagining of this famous WWII event.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Battles are talked about and characters are aware of people dying. There’s nothing graphic on page, but deaths do happen around them.
Ethnic diversity: Most characters are white British or white Belgian or white German.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Iris and Maud face people telling them they can’t do things because they are girls and/or they are young. Max is a refugee because of prejudice.

[A.Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books grab you, but Valor Wings swoops down, carries you off, and refuses to let go. It’s one of those magical “just one more chapter” reads, where the pages fly by, and each chapter ends with a cliffhanger that makes it impossible to stop reading. Iris is a force of nature—her strength and unwavering determination make her an unforgettable heroine. Watching her friendship with Maud evolve felt so real, reminding me how unexpected friendships can reveal the best in people.

In a different storyline, Max and his little pup, Plum, stole my heart. His search for his grandmother was filled with moments of hope and love, making their bond feel truly special. Jamie and Jack’s escapades added humor and excitement, with Jack’s cheeky lines bringing a smile even during tense moments. I also loved the unit’s desperate and often funny strategies to mislead the advancing enemy, giving the story fresh twists.

The theme of valor resonates deeply, woven through both storylines in a way that makes it unforgettable. Subity’s reimagining of Dunkirk with a fantastical twist not only kept me glued to the pages but, after flipping the final page, sent me on an internet search to learn more about the real event. It’s a rare book that makes history feel this alive and exciting, sparking curiosity and inviting readers to explore beyond the book’s world. I have no doubt young readers will feel the same and be just as inspired to continue learning.

All in all, I absolutely adored this story and I can’t wait to see what new twists of history Sam Subity dreams up next! The world absolutely needs more stories like this.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War II historical fiction with dragons?! Absolutely! Sam Subity (The Last Shadow Warrior) combines historically accurate facts from Operation Dynamo/Dunkirk Miracle/Little Ships of Dunkirk with a terrific tale of a young girl and her best friend, a dragon named Galahad and Max, a refugee from Hitler’s attack on Jews. Readers will be engaged from the beginning as Iris tries to protect Galahad from the fears of the townspeople and the ignorance of an English major and Max flees the Nazi invasion of Belgium with his grandmother. The two youths’ stories are told in alternating chapters and remain separate until Max’s flight crosses Iris’ brother and English soldiers bent on making it hard for the Nazis to move across France.

Two strong female leads, a herd a dragons, battles against the Nazis, and the organized operation that saved thousands of Englishman from death make VALOR WINGS a great choice for readers in grades 4 and up. The low page count makes it approachable for most readers in that age group and the excitement, historical background plus interesting characters mean great appeal for all. For those interested in separating fact from fiction, author Subity has additional information posted on his website.

Strongly recommended for libraries serving the target age group with no profanity, violence appropriate to the WWII time period with nothing gratuitous or overly explicit, no sexual content or innuendo.

Thanks for sharing a preview copy to arc-sharing group BookAllies, Sam Subity.

[Rose Aria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book (generously, hard-cover and signed).

Iris, a young girl from England, has befriended a dragon despite the lingering animosity of her town after driving the other dragons away. When her brother enlists to fight the Nazis in France, she has to figure out how she can ensure his safe return. However, the dragon, Galahad, has been taken captive by a military leader in her town with the threat that, if he does not prove useful for the war effort, he will be killed.

Valor Wings is impressively well-written and kept me on the edge of my seat. I am not sure what the target age demographic is meant to be but, while still obviously containing violent themes, the author avoided anything graphic. I assume it was written for people around middle school age. However, the writing really impressed me on multiple occasions and, while there is a bit of childish simplicity in many places, it was still a fun read as an adult. The characters are likeable and believable, and I really cared about what happened to them all in the story. Therefore, while I usually lean toward books with less satisfying endings, I enjoyed how neatly everything was tied up by the end. Every part of the plot was sufficiently built up without the book being very long. I definitely recommend this book for a younger audience as long as the parents are okay with war themes, but it is still a fun read for any adults looking for something easy.

Writing: 5
Characters: 5
Plot: 5
Setting: 4
Enjoyment: 5

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valor Wings is a story that takes place in 1940 in England, Belgium, and France. This is the story of Iris and Max. I read this is a young girl who lives in the countryside of England. She has a secret in the ones she has a small but large Dragon named Galahad. Iris has raised Galahad since he was a baby however everyone in the village stays away from the woods and Galahad. The story then flip-flops to Max in Belgium in the same year, and he is at school until he hears something about Germans capturing various countries and they are released from school early.
I quite enjoyed this story as Iris is in a different location, but we get to hear about the origins of Galahad is a baby dragon and also how she is friends with Galahad and she protects him as best she can. She offers him to the war effort that is going on against the Germans as the troops in her village want to kill Galahad and she wants to save him. So she tells them that he can fly back and forth to communicate with one group versus another in other countries. Eventually Max and Iris meet each other in the war efforts and the false get to know each other and become friends. This is a great children’s book read as it explains the title valor wings especially the ending of the book. I will not spoil the ending so you must read the book on your own!

[Ben Gartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first sentence, VALOR WINGS by Sam Subity grabs you and doesn't let you go. Told from the dual points of view of Iris in England and Max in Belgium, both children are feeling the impacts to their family of a war they cannot ignore. There are a lot of moments of impending doom and close calls propelled forward by cliffhanger chapter endings, with action-packed tension throughout, that makes this a surefire page-turner for middle grade readers.

The "death and destruction" is not just gratuitous danger. The book deftly touches on the heavy topics of genocide, escape from tyranny, and standing up for "Truth and Justice." But it's wrapped in an entertaining story that includes lots of great visuals with the dragons, and fire, and flying. This book has a lot of bullets and bombs...and dragons! It is great fun for the imagination.

I read an ARC so the following quote may change in the final version, but I hope it doesn't. One of my favorite scenes was when Max was reading his story to the soldiers, who are all entranced: "If there was any magic still left in the world, [...] then surely this was it." Couldn't agree more, Max!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by my 7th grade daughter Ema - Montgomery School:

I feel like the book Valor Wings was a very well written book. I thought it was quite entertaining to read. I like how there were two different perspectives for the two main characters Iris and Max. I liked the way he used an actual event in history and gave it a touch of fantasy. I enjoyed reading this book because it got me hooked and still left me guessing. The plot twists were placed perfectly, so that the book wasn't too complicated, but it was also never boring. I think the idea of dragons going to save Iris's brother in the war was very cool and it was a nice mix of reality and fantasy. At first I thought I would not enjoy this book because wars never really interested me, but this book made me want to read it and in the end I really loved it! Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I think it was well written and as student going into 7th grade would definitely recommend this to my friends.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valor Wings is my first introduction to the writings of Sam Subity. I am not a huge fan of fantasy fiction, however, I am a huge historical fiction fan. I was instantly curious when I came across this book and wanted to see how the author would make these two genres work together. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised and greatly enjoyed this tale. It was a fun and entertaining adventure to me.



I am giving Valor Wings four and a half stars. I believe historical fantasy fans of thirteen years old and up will greatly enjoy it. I would love to read more books like this from the talented author, Sam Subity, in the future.




I received a copy of Sam Subity's Valor Wings from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Subity’s Valor Wings is a great mash-up of Fantasy and World War 2 history. Every chapter took me on a riveting adventure. The young characters are brave and courageous, standing up against all odds with a little help from their dragon friends. Together, they take on every obstacle thrown their way with valor. Supporting characters are comedic, brave, and clever in their rush to save their English comrades and escape the Germans. The villains are as nasty as they come and have me rooting for their demise from the beginning. The world created has me believing I’m right there alongside our heroes. These kids find joy, hope, and evoke their own miracles, making this ugly, war-torn landscape somehow beautiful.

It’s a must read for people of all ages!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visiting friend's 10 year old daughter looked through my entire bookshelf and chose an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Valor Wings that I'd just finished. She was so drawn into the story that when the rest of our group walked to the pool, we had to lead her by her elbow so she could keep reading while walking. She swam for a bit, then got out to read some more. She didn't put it down for the rest of the weekend and loved it! If you're looking for the perfect book for your Wings of Fire fans, she says to check this one out right away! Her parents love that she's learning real WWII historical facts along with the exciting dragon narrative. She's already planning to recommend it to all of her friends and I will too!

[B.J. Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

VALOR WINGS is an intriguing, original, fast-paced historical fantasy that captivates a reader within the first few pages and holds the reader's attention until the last sentence. From the prose to the dialogue to the descriptions, Sam Sabuity has crafted a masterpiece that will be enjoyed by both children and adults.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading VALOR WINGS. Although it's written for kids, I found it enjoyable, especially given the WWII setting. I can easily envision the book being adapted into a future live-action or animated film. I highly recommend the book to readers of all ages. ╌★★★★★

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun read. It has history, bravery, and dragons! I really liked that you can read about history in a fun and meaningful way. The main characters are brave and ride dragons. I do not usually like dual points of view. However, I liked it in this book because the chapters had somewhat of a cliffhanger, and I could not put the book down. There are many touching family moments as well. From having a sibling fighting a war, to Nazi invasions, this story is a fast, fun read. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

[Kim Rasplicka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valor Wings is a creative take on historical fiction for kids, but with dragons. I appreciate the examples of sweet relationships between siblings and friends (human or otherwise). I also enjoy the idea that girls can be the heroines!
As this story takes place during WW2, there is some talk about Nazis and death, which may be a discussion point with younger readers.
Overall, I look forward to sharing Valor Wings with my niece (a big fan of dragons) and discussing it with her!

Thank you to Sam Subity and Scholastic Publishing for the signed copy!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read! Who doesn’t love a good dragon story? This book is full of adventure, action, history and valor! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Between the wonderful characters, the war and its affects on families and individuals, each character dealing with their own problems and most of all dragons you can help but be glued to the pages! Thank you Rockstar Book Tours, Sam Subity, and Scholastic for sharing this book with me!

[Karen Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy + Historical Fiction = a whole lot of fun with Valor Wings! I will admit, I was a little hesitant to combine two of my favorite genres into one book, but Sam Subity did an excellent job of working the two together. The characters were relatable and the adventure exciting! I look forward to reading more by Subity.

[Jessica Speer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this epic WWII adventure tale! Written through multiple perspectives, Subity beautifully crafts a story and characters that kept me on the edge of my seat. Middle-grade readers will love the dragons, while teachers will love the WWII history. Thrilling is the word that comes to mind to best describe Valor Wings. Highly recommend!