Night Witches: A novel of World War Two

I wanted to like this book so badly but I'm ditching it after 10 pages for complete unbelievability. A YA novel about the night witches (young Russian women who flew very old planes on bombing runs against the Germans during WWII) should have been completely in my wheel house. But the writing was questionable from the off-set. I found it difficult to believe that in 1940s Russia a house would have so much American literature in it (The Wizard of Oz and Huckleberry Finn are name checked). Plus the central character refers to the German invasion of Russia as Operation Barbarossa while it's still happening. I can't imagine a character living in the midst of a campaign knows its code name . Plus there was a typo in those first 10 pages (a show more copy editing issue, I know, but it still sets my teeth on edge). So with all of that combined I am ditching this book forthwith and not even giving it the full Nancy Pearl rule. The title might be more acceptable to its target audience (I'd say tweens rather than teens) but this grown-up just can't make herself read it. show less

This gripping historical novel plunges students into the bold world of the famed Soviet “Night Witches”—all-female bomber pilots during WWII. Sixteen-year-old Valya’s courage and determination to join her older sister in the skies offer a powerful lens into a lesser-known wartime story. With a 710L Lexile and fast pacing, it’s perfect for middle and early high school readers who love adventure, history, and strong young women heroes. The aviation scenes are vivid, the stakes feel real, and the emotional arc—from family loss to fierce bravery—resonates long after the last page. A must-read for expanding global perspectives and inspiring student readers.

The further I read in this book the more I found it hard to enjoy. I really had to suspend my disbelief when it came to all the amazing things Valya did in the book. Not only did she survive active combat for months with very limited injury she was also a genius at everything she tried and everyone was desperate to put this school girl in charge.
The very heavy pro Russia/anti Ukraine theme was also very hard to swallow. Valya didn't have any issues with her distrust of the Soviet Union leaders but she had no sympathy for the Ukrainians who had been starved, displaced and killed by the order of these same leaders.
By the end of the book Valya came across as a self-absorbed and unsympathetic character.

Fifteen-year-old Valya knows what it feels like to fly. She's a pilot who's always felt more at home soaring through the sky than down on earth. But since the Germans surrounded Stalingrad, Valyas been forced to stay on the ground and watch her city crumble.

When her mother is killed during the siege, Valya is left with one burning desire: to join up with her older sister, a member of the famous and feared Night Witches - a brigade of young female pilots.

After the Germans invaded Russia and surrounded Stalingrad, 16-year-old pilot, Valya, is "grounded" and can no longer do what she loves to do most -- fly. However, when her mother is killed during the siege of her city Valya knows what she must do, escape Stalingrad and join up with her older sister, a member of the famous Nigth Witches, a regimen of all women pilots, and help in the war efforts. Valya makes it past the German blockade and locates the Night Witches' secret base. As she arrives, the Witches have just been given orders to fly a critical mission that will inflict serious damage to the Nazis, but Valya's sister goes missing and she is torn between loyalty to country and loyalty to family. Lasky's action-packed historical show more novel will not disappoint you. For 6-12 grades. show less

When this book was chosen for book club, I had no idea it was YA. I enjoyed it, but the story was a little simple. Now that I know there was such a thing as “Night Witches,” I’ll be looking for additional books. Good strong characters, but the story was too simple for me.

FROM AMAZON: 16-year-old Valya knows what it feels like to fly. She's a pilot who's always felt more at home soaring through the sky than down on earth. But since the Germans surrounded Stalingrad, Valya's been forced to stay on the ground and watch her city crumble.

When her mother is killed during the siege, Valya is left with one burning desire: to join up with her older sister, a member of the famous and feared Night Witches-a brigade of young female pilots.

Using all her wits, Valya manages to get past the German blockade and find the Night Witches' base . . . and that's when the REAL danger starts. The women have been assigned a critical mission. If they succeed, they'll inflict serious damage on the Nazis. If they fail, they'll show more face death . . . or even worse horrors. show less