The Forgotten War: A World War II Battle on American Soil by Candace Fleming - ADVISABLE

The Forgotten War: A World War II Battle on American Soil by Candace Fleming, 272 pages. NON-FICTION Scholastic, September 2026. $20

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (war violence, descriptions of trench foot and battle injuries - not graphic)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Charlie Groth was drafted into WWII in October of 1943. Initially trained as an infantryman, but his winter driving skills - he's from Michigan, got him moved to the ambulance corps and he was assigned to be a litter carrier - one of the soldiers who take the wounded from the battlefield. When he's finally deployed into the war, he finds himself on Attu, part of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. After Pearl Harbor, this and another island were taken over by the Japanese, and Charlie has been assured that taking them back will be quick and easy. But constant terrible weather, and a series of miscalculations by the American Commanding officers make for a very bloody battle and an embarrassing part of WWII the American Military would rather hide and forget.

Well researched and I love that Fleming told both sides of the story - there's a Japanese doctor with the Japanese troops whose experiences are also recounted. Besides the few stories she knew from her father, Fleming combed the National Archives and Records Administration for primary documents, utilized the Park Service and National WWII Museum for interviews, and even found more information about her father. She begins the book with an author's note, and ends with well-organized source documentation. Includes photographs throughout.

Charlie is white.

Lisa Librarian