Silver Stars

For fans of Girl in the Blue Coat, Salt to the Sea, and The Boy at the Top of the Mountain, the second book of New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant’s epic alternate history is a coming-of-age story about three girls who are fiercely fighting their own personal battles in the midst of the greatest war of all time.

The summer of 1943, World War II. With heavy memories of combat, Frangie, Rainy, Rio and the rest of the American army are moving on to their next target: the Italian island of Sicily.

The women won’t conquer Italy alone. They are not heroes for fighting alongside their brothers—they are soldiers. But Frangie, Rainy, Rio, and the millions of brave females fighting for their country have become a symbol in the fight for equality. They will brave terrible conditions in an endless siege; they will fight to find themselves on the front lines of WWII; and they will come face-to-face with the brutality of war until they win or die.

• YA Alternate History: In a world where women fight on the front lines, Frangie, Rainy, and Rio must prove they are more than symbols—they are soldiers.
• World War II Historical Fiction: Experience the 1943 invasion of Sicily through the eyes of three young women, from the terror of the beach landings to the brutal reality of the front lines.
• Band of Sisters: A medic who runs toward the fight to save lives, a language specialist bent on destroying Nazis, and a farm girl who is a natural-born killer. Three friends, one war.
• The Invasion of Sicily: Follow the American army from the shores of North Africa to the hot, dusty, and deadly battlefields of Italy in this epic new chapter of Michael Grant’s groundbreaking series.

The Summer of 1943: World War II.

The Germans have been bloodied, but Nazi Germany is very far from beaten. The North African campaign was only the beginning of the long journey for Frangie, Rainy, Rio, and the millions of other Allies. 

Now the American army is moving on to their next target: the Italian island of Sicily. Frangie, Rainy, and Rio now know firsthand what each of them is willing to do to save herself—and the consequences. With their heavy memories of combat, they will find this operation to be even tougher. 

Frangie, Rainy, and Rio also know what is at stake. The women are not heroes for fighting alongside their brothers—they are soldiers. But the millions of brave females fighting for their country have become a symbol in the fight for equality. In this war, endless blood has been spilled and millions of lives have been lost, but there could be so much more to gain.

The women won’t conquer Italy alone. But they will brave terrible conditions in an endless siege; they will fight to find themselves on the front lines of World War II; and they will come face-to-face with the brutality of war until they win or die.

Silver Stars is an epic coming-of-age story about three girls who are fiercely fighting their own personal battles in the midst of the greatest war of all time.

“This series continues to be a fascinating, stunningly written examination of both war and women’s role in it, and this installment only adds to its already considerable depth.” - Booklist (starred review)

“Exhaustive research, immersive storytelling, and emotional depth make for a superlative tale.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“What if American women had fought alongside men in World War II? Michael Grant gives us a magnificent alternate history that feels so real and right and true it seems impossible that it wasn’t. Every one of these fictional soldiers has wrapped herself around my heart.” - Elizabeth Wein, Award-winning and New York Times Bestselling Author of Code Name Verity Elizabeth Wein, Award-winning and New York Times Bestselling Author of Code Name Verity Elizabeth Wein, Award-winning and New York Times Bestselling Author of Code Name Verity Elizabeth Wein, Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Varity

“Michael Grant is a master of twists that not only tear at his readers’ consciences, they hold a mirror up to our here and now and insist we consider what might otherwise be. FRONT LINES is a masterpiece of speculative story crafting.” - Andrew Smith, Michael L. Printz Honor winning author of Grasshopper Jungle Michael Smith, Michael L. Printz Honor winning author of Garsshopper Jungle

“Front Lines does what great epics are meant to do: tells us the human side of history with honesty, wit, and clarity. Just because it didn’t happen this way, doesn’t mean it isn’t true.” - C. Alexander London, author of Proxy and Dog Tags and Tides of War series

“Fascinating and powerful. This alternate history of WWII is relevant to the American military today, where men and women serve side by side. Men have no monopoly on courage or determination, and they never did. If women had fought in WWII, they would have proven themselves in real combat, just as they do today in a variety of roles. A great book.” - Wayne K. Maynard, Major, USA (Ret.), Ph.D.

“Vivid and visceral, Michael Grant’s remarkable work of alternate history brings World War II to breathtaking life. With its cast of memorable and appealing characters, Front Lines is irresistibly readable and absolutely unforgettable.” - Micahel Cart, Past YALA President and Booklist columnist and reviewer

“Vivid and visceral, Michael Grant’s remarkable work of alternate history brings World War II to breathtaking life. With its cast of memorable and appealing characters, Front Lines is irresistibly readable and absolutely unforgettable.” - School Library Journal

Praise for FRONT LINES: “The history is illuminating and fascinating, but where Grant excels even more is in the immersive storytelling and compelling bonds among the multifaceted characters. Just as classic war novels demonstrate how war can reveal common humanity, Grant’s exploration of women in battle is no different.” - Booklist (starred review)

“All of the protagonists are well-developed individuals, but also represent ‘every soldier girl who carried a rifle, dug a hole, slogged through mud, steamed or froze, prayed or cursed, raged or feared, ran away or ran toward.’ A gripping and heart-wrenching tale.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The main characters are all well-drawn, strong women, and the wartime events are well researched and accurate. The alternative history and wartime plot, which reads like a movie, will appeal to many.” - School Library Journal

“The experiences of female soldiers in the military are plainly and honestly depicted…an immersive, powerful tale.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The fast pace of this novel, along with its relatable characters and engaging plot, will easily draw in reluctant readers. Grant’s well-researched details of living conditions that WWII soldiers endured will appeal to fans of historical fiction. Readers of this book will be anxiously awaiting the sequel.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)