We’re excited to welcome long time favorite Alan Gratz, bestselling author of Refugee, to introduce his new book Allies, which weaves a stunning array of voices and stories into an epic tale of teamwork in the face of tyranny -- and how just one day can change the world.

* "Both an excellent, inclusive narration of important historical events and a fast-paced, entertaining read." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

June 6, 1944: The Nazis are terrorizing Europe, on their evil quest to conquer the world. The only way to stop them? The biggest, most top-secret operation ever, with the Allied nations coming together to storm German-occupied France. Welcome to D-Day.

Dee, a young U.S. soldier, is on a boat racing toward the French coast. And Dee -- along with his brothers-in-arms -- is terrified. He feels the weight of World War II on his shoulders. But Dee is not alone. Behind enemy lines in France, a girl named Samira works as a spy, trying to sabotage the German army. Meanwhile, paratrooper James leaps from his plane to join a daring midnight raid. And in the thick of battle, Henry, a medic, searches for lives to save. In a breathtaking race against time, they all must fight to complete their high-stakes missions. But with betrayals and deadly risks at every turn, can the Allies do what it takes to win?

This is historical fiction at its best.

Alan Gratz has wanted to be a writer ever since he was a kid. He went to the University of Tennessee to study creative writing, and ten years and more than sixty-five rejections later he was finally able to get his very first book published. Now Alan is the author of fifteen books for young readers, including Grenade, Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, and Code of Honor, many of which won state awards, appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, and been voted their favorite book of the year by students and librarians.