Front Lines by Michael Grant

Abhijit | Ocean Township Intermediate School, Grade 8

Rating: ****

Front Lines is a novel that takes place in an alternate history where in 1940, a Supreme Court ruling declares that it is unconstitutional to limit the draft to men only. Therefore, when the United States enters the second world war, women will fight alongside men to free Europe and Asia from the Axis forces. The story revolves around three young women newly drafted into the war effort: Rio Richlin, a girl from a small town who joins to avenge her sister; Frangie Marr, an African American girl who becomes a medic to support her struggling family; and Rainy Schulterman, a Jewish girl who joins the intelligence force to thwart the Nazis. The three go through grueling training to prepare, making friends along the way. Each goes to a different part of the war, but their stories connect in North Africa in the Battle of Kasserine Pass. The book is very interesting, and the characters all feel like real people. The story progresses quickly once the battle begins, and is very engaging. This book, the first in a series, is one of the best books I have read this year.