About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is seeking high-stakes adventure but needs a reminder that intelligence and persistence are just as powerful as physical strength. These true accounts of historical prison escapes serve as a masterclass in human resilience, showing how individuals can maintain their dignity and hope even in the most restrictive environments. It is an ideal pick for the middle-grade reader who prefers facts to fiction and is fascinated by the 'how-to' of survival. While the settings range from the American Civil War to World War II, the core of each story is the incredible creativity and teamwork required to overcome impossible odds. The book introduces complex history in an accessible way, focusing on the agency of the escapees. Because it deals with real prisoners of war and political captives, there are moments of peril, but the focus remains firmly on the triumph of the human spirit and the meticulous planning behind each breakout.
