Kirkus Reviews

As the United States heads into World War II, two Black women in Harlem are dissatisfied with their career prospects.Although she's a brilliant pianist, Grace Steele freezes at her Juilliard audition and fears to confess her failure to her mother, who's already distraught about son Tony's disappearance in the Philippines. Eliza Jones is warring with her employer and father, the editor and publisher of a prominent Black newspaper, because he's relegated her to covering the society beat. Grace and Eliza meet as new recruits to the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, where each hopes to alter her destiny. But as they enter training, even as relatively privileged officer candidates, they soon learn that racial and sex discrimination have followed them into the armed forces. Although prominent African Americans like Mary McLeod Bethune urge enlistment in the WACs to advance "the race," the government reneges on its promise to not segregate the WACs. The main arc of the episodic plot is the conflicted friendship between Grace and Eliza. There is a push-pull between them, instant dislike at first, followed by personality clashes-Eliza thinks Grace is rigid and arrogant, Grace resents Eliza's spoiled, upper-class attitude. Then both, unthinkingly, inflict grievous harm on the other. Eliza blames Grace for failing to warn her about disembarking, alone, at a deserted Kentucky train station, where she is savagely beaten. Later, Eliza will, unintentionally, put Grace in jeopardy in a manner that is equally mystifying and contrived. The language throughout is overly expository and repetitious. But the author fulfills her stated intent to shed light on "hidden figures," in this case, the trajectory of the WAC in general and the empowerment, however provisional, with which it "armed" its soldiers, who weren't allowed to bear actual arms.Calls long overdue attention to the Black women veterans of World War II.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Alderson-s impressive debut follows two New York City women who join the Army-s first all-Black officer candidate school during WWII. In 1942, pianist Grace Steele, 26, fumbles her Juilliard audition after learning that her brother died in the war, then joins the Six Triple Eight Battalion of the Women-s Army Auxiliary Corps. Wealthy society reporter Eliza Jones, 23, whose father is the publisher of her newspaper and won-t allow her to take on assignments of any substance, also accepts the Army-s call. The women forge a rocky friendship while navigating the segregated organization, where tented table cards labeled -Coloreds- are placed on mess tables near the latrines. The company closes ranks when their major is almost court-martialed after -backtalking- a general, and succeed in having the charge dropped. Descriptions of boot camp and a U-boat chase during their voyage to Europe are standouts before the battalion is charged with a dangerous mission distributing mail to troops in England and France. Though the dialogue can feel underdeveloped, Alderson impresses with her account of trailblazing Black characters who battle racism and misogyny. The adventures of the Six Triple Eight will captivate readers. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary (Aug.)

School Library Journal (Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)

This historical novel follows two young Black women through their recruitment, enlistment, and service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, later the Women's Army Corps, during World War II. Grace, a headstrong pianist mourning the recent loss of her brother in battle, and Eliza, a spunky aspiring news reporter with overprotective parents, meet at a WAC recruitment center in New York City in 1942. Despite a few initial disagreements, the two women form a bond that will endure through their service, which takes them from Iowa to the Eastern Seaboard and, eventually, all the way to Europe. With the other Black WAC members, who made up only five percent of women in service during World War II, Grace and Eliza face segregation and prejudice in addition to the universal challenges of wartime. Alderson draws from the available historical information on Black WAC members to paint a full picture of these women's experiences, and includes a robust reference section at the novel's end. Many secondary characters are based on real people. This historical accuracy is, however, somewhat undermined with a generous dose of creative license. A few elements, including the women's romantic interests and an improbable twist ending, feel unnecessary and out of place in the plot. While the novel is aimed at adults, teens will not struggle with its language or themes. VERDICT This book provides an entertaining, informative look at underrepresented and underreported Black stories from World War II. The importance of its subject matter certainly outweighs some shortcomings in storytelling. Mary Kamela, Kenmore West High Sch., Buffalo, NY