NONFICTION - ELEMENTARY

The Six Triple Eight: A True Story of the Black Woman Battalion of World War II

by Tonya Abari (text) & illus. by Lance Evans
HarperCollins. Oct. 2025. 40p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063265769. Gr 2-4
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Gr 2-4–Abari tells the story of how a group of Black women joined the Six Triple Eight, or the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. Their job was to process a backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail. Abari describes how Black women had to advocate for their right to even enlist in the United States Army. Once there they proved themselves capable and committed. They boosted soldiers’ morale by ensuring that they received letters from home. Evans’s outstanding illustrations complement the text with their muted colors and solemn facial expressions, showing the determination of the characters against the bleak backgrounds war.
VERDICT Abari’s accessible text sheds light on a group of women who did not receive enough recognition during their time; students will be inspired by the story of this brave and hard-working battalion. A first purchase.
Reviewed by Mari Pongkhamsing , Aug 08, 2025

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