In the early years of World War II, Josef Stalin issued an order that made the Soviet Union the first country in the world to allow female pilots to fly in combat. Led by Marina Raskova, these three regiments, including the 588th Night Bomber Regiment—nicknamed the "night witches"—helped to turn the tide against German forces. Packed with black and white photos and fascinating sidebars, this gripping history for young adult readers by the author of Code Name Verity tells the story of a thousand young women (and more than a few teenage girls) who wanted to take flight to defend their country, and the woman who brought them together in the sky.