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Great Escapes #6
Across the Minefields
Are you ready for some of the most exciting, death-defying escape stories ever told? The sixth installment in the Great Escapes series is here—perfect for fans of the I Survived series!
June, 1942—Libya. Free French Officer Susan Travers was one of the few women on the frontlines in Africa during World War Two. After the Germans surrounded the military camp of Bir Hakeim, a shocking order was issued. The French troops were going to break out in the middle of the night—crossing through dangerous minefields and enemy territory—to reach their British allies. And Officer Travers would be leading the charge.
With the lives of thousands of military men at risk, stakes were high. But Officer Travers didn’t face rejection and break gender barriers to back down now. Her country needed her to fight. And win.
For reluctant readers to total bookworms, this gripping historical fiction story—featuring fascinating bonus content and captivating illustrations—will leave you eager to read the whole series!
June, 1942—Libya. Free French Officer Susan Travers was one of the few women on the frontlines in Africa during World War Two. After the Germans surrounded the military camp of Bir Hakeim, a shocking order was issued. The French troops were going to break out in the middle of the night—crossing through dangerous minefields and enemy territory—to reach their British allies. And Officer Travers would be leading the charge.
With the lives of thousands of military men at risk, stakes were high. But Officer Travers didn’t face rejection and break gender barriers to back down now. Her country needed her to fight. And win.
For reluctant readers to total bookworms, this gripping historical fiction story—featuring fascinating bonus content and captivating illustrations—will leave you eager to read the whole series!
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2021
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Pamela D. Toler
11 books111 followersI'm an academic renegade
The first day of my PhD program at University of Chicago, my advisor said, "You know there are no jobs, right?" I knew, but I didn't care. I wanted to write about history for a broader audience than the other five people interested in my dissertation topic. I wanted to write for history buffs and nerdy kids and the general intelligent reader. (That would be you, right?)
Officially my degree is in the history of the Indian sub-continent, with strong sub-fields in European imperialism and Islam. I feel strongly that the West in general and Americans in particular need to know more about the history of other parts of the world. That belief is often reflected in the topics I choose to write about, whether I'm working on a small story (feather hats in ancient Peru, anyone?) or a big one (Mankind: the Story of All of Us).
These days I write about a wide range of historical topics for history buffs, nerdy kids and--you get the idea. On any given day I could be working on World War I recruiting posters, the mud mosques of West Africa, the first European translation of the Arabian Nights, Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, or the history of absinth. At least half the time I'm writing outside of "my field", exploring odd corners of the past with field-tested research skills, a red-hot library card, and a large bump of curiosity.
Basically, I'm interested in the times and places where two cultures meet and change each other. Come along for the ride.
The first day of my PhD program at University of Chicago, my advisor said, "You know there are no jobs, right?" I knew, but I didn't care. I wanted to write about history for a broader audience than the other five people interested in my dissertation topic. I wanted to write for history buffs and nerdy kids and the general intelligent reader. (That would be you, right?)
Officially my degree is in the history of the Indian sub-continent, with strong sub-fields in European imperialism and Islam. I feel strongly that the West in general and Americans in particular need to know more about the history of other parts of the world. That belief is often reflected in the topics I choose to write about, whether I'm working on a small story (feather hats in ancient Peru, anyone?) or a big one (Mankind: the Story of All of Us).
These days I write about a wide range of historical topics for history buffs, nerdy kids and--you get the idea. On any given day I could be working on World War I recruiting posters, the mud mosques of West Africa, the first European translation of the Arabian Nights, Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, or the history of absinth. At least half the time I'm writing outside of "my field", exploring odd corners of the past with field-tested research skills, a red-hot library card, and a large bump of curiosity.
Basically, I'm interested in the times and places where two cultures meet and change each other. Come along for the ride.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 23, 2023
A fictionalized biography of Susan Travers, who volunteered for the French Legion during WWII as a nurse and driver. The book focuses most on her time in North Africa which earned her several medals.
I have never heard of Susan Travers before. This was a fascinating read. It is fictional because the author condensed some characters and timelines slightly, but she kept all the major events factual. There are so few books on WWII in North Africa for middle grades (or for anyone really). Travers is also the only female member of the French Foreign Legion to date, which I found a bit surprising. The paperback copy I purchased for our library turned out to have pages 61-92 missing and 93-124 repeated 2x (this is a rare printing issue I've only come across 3 other times in my years as a librarian). I was very relieved when I could get the ebook from Scribd so I could finish the book because I was completely hooked by page 61 and wanted to learn more about what happened to Travers! I need to order another copy for the library so all the WWII fiction fans can devour this too.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Violence in war is mentioned and deaths and hazards are briefly mentioned as well as war injuries, but the blood and gore is kept very minimal, especially for a WWII book.
I have never heard of Susan Travers before. This was a fascinating read. It is fictional because the author condensed some characters and timelines slightly, but she kept all the major events factual. There are so few books on WWII in North Africa for middle grades (or for anyone really). Travers is also the only female member of the French Foreign Legion to date, which I found a bit surprising. The paperback copy I purchased for our library turned out to have pages 61-92 missing and 93-124 repeated 2x (this is a rare printing issue I've only come across 3 other times in my years as a librarian). I was very relieved when I could get the ebook from Scribd so I could finish the book because I was completely hooked by page 61 and wanted to learn more about what happened to Travers! I need to order another copy for the library so all the WWII fiction fans can devour this too.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Violence in war is mentioned and deaths and hazards are briefly mentioned as well as war injuries, but the blood and gore is kept very minimal, especially for a WWII book.
May 27, 2022
Great Escapes Across The Minefields Pamela D Toler
Great escapes there is other series of this but this one mostly focus on the Cold War and that one of the main reasons I got it. The author of this book is one of many other good books and this has to be the best series ive read all of them. These are the titles if you are interested and the rating Nazi Prison Escape one of the best 9/10 Journey to freedom 1838 a good one 7/10 Civil War Breakout if you like the civil war 6/10 Survival in the wilderness probably my favorite one 10/10. If you are interested to the Cold War.
Some chapters I like are A new boss because it focus on "the war was still raging and Susan was right where she wanted to be in middle of the action" and it focus on the war Chapter 6. Some of the chapters in this book are good. A dreadful oven of a place "Susan looked around the empty plateau at bir hakeim" I read this chapter its probably one of the best its on invading.
An appointment with honor "it was almost midnight the hour when Susan and the other drivers would break through the German lines" this focused on the end of the cold war and other things.
I like this book I like all books that are related to the war and this is a really good book that focused in the cold war. It was a confusing book on the cold war but if you studied in in social studies it wont be confusing. The book was pretty easy to read and was only 121 pages. I predicted the ending cause I studied the cold war. I liked the ending cause its all the honor and its just like the cold war but in the book. My favorite part was when the war ended. I made connections from to social studies but overall not that many. The only thing I didn't like was how deeply it got but its understandable.
Great escapes there is other series of this but this one mostly focus on the Cold War and that one of the main reasons I got it. The author of this book is one of many other good books and this has to be the best series ive read all of them. These are the titles if you are interested and the rating Nazi Prison Escape one of the best 9/10 Journey to freedom 1838 a good one 7/10 Civil War Breakout if you like the civil war 6/10 Survival in the wilderness probably my favorite one 10/10. If you are interested to the Cold War.
Some chapters I like are A new boss because it focus on "the war was still raging and Susan was right where she wanted to be in middle of the action" and it focus on the war Chapter 6. Some of the chapters in this book are good. A dreadful oven of a place "Susan looked around the empty plateau at bir hakeim" I read this chapter its probably one of the best its on invading.
An appointment with honor "it was almost midnight the hour when Susan and the other drivers would break through the German lines" this focused on the end of the cold war and other things.
I like this book I like all books that are related to the war and this is a really good book that focused in the cold war. It was a confusing book on the cold war but if you studied in in social studies it wont be confusing. The book was pretty easy to read and was only 121 pages. I predicted the ending cause I studied the cold war. I liked the ending cause its all the honor and its just like the cold war but in the book. My favorite part was when the war ended. I made connections from to social studies but overall not that many. The only thing I didn't like was how deeply it got but its understandable.
January 22, 2022
I had decided to listen to this to acquaint myself with this series. It was quite interesting. I would liken this to the magic tree house books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews