Vivid storytelling brings World War II history to life and place readers in the shoes of the people who experienced one of the most pivotal battles in the Pacific War. On February 19 1945 U.S. Marines landed on the island of tiny Iwo Jima. Facing rugged terrain and a deeply entrenched enemy they embarked on a fierce five-week battle to take the island and its airfields from the Imperial Japanese Army. Suspenseful dramatic events unfold in chronological interwoven stories from the different perspectives of people who experienced the battle while it was happening. Narratives intertwine to create a breathless What's Next kind of read. Students gain a new perspective on historical figures as they learn about real people struggling to decide how best to act in a given moment.