Book Band: Dark Red (ideal for ages 10+)
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The story of WWII starring the brilliant pilots you've never heard of... the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) who battled against the odds to get the air force's planes to the front lines. This coming-of-age tale is perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Michael Morpurgo and Hilary McKay.
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October, 1942.

When twelve-year-old Billie is out exploring with her pet chicken, she sees a plane crash into a field and is left wondering if the pilot even survived.

Determined to find out more, Billie finds a way into the ATA - a group of amazing pilots who defy the odds to get planes from the factories to the front lines - and her life changes for ever. Some of the pilots are men who are too old, or too injured for the air force. But many more are women. Intrepid, inspiring women who show Billie what she might grow up to become.

With missions including ferrying turkeys over from Ireland and flying unfamiliar, broken planes, Billie is desperate to help. But piloting fighter planes could turn out to be more than she bargained for...

Iszi Lawrence (@iszi_lawrence) is a writer, comedian, podcaster and history presenter. She is a regular on TV history documentaries including shows for Sky History, Netflix, Yesterday and the Smithsonian Channel. She was co-host of BBC Radio 4's flagship show, Making History with Tom Holland and presents Your Place or Mine with Shaun Keaveny (BBC R4 and Sounds). Her podcasts include The British Museum Membercast and popular science podcast Terrible Lizards with Dr Dave Hone. She is the author of four adventurous and funny middle grade children's novels including Blackbeard's Treasure (which was selected as Blackwell's Children's Book of the Month) and a quirky series for 6-9 year olds, The Time Machine Next Door, all published by Bloomsbury. She is a regular visitor to schools and runs history and historical fiction workshops for Key Stage 2 and 3 students. Visit her website: iszi.com to find out more.