"Open Fire is a lively, passionate novel set in a pressurized time, in which a strong-minded girl displays inspiring commitment." ―starred, Foreword Reviews
Open Fire
In 1917, Russia is losing the war with Germany, soldiers are deserting in droves, and food shortages on the home front are pushing people to the brink of revolution. Seventeen-year-old Katya is politically conflicted, but she wants Russia to win the war. Working at a munitions factory seems like the most she can do to serve her country—until the government begins recruiting an all-female army battalion. Inspired, Katya enlists. Training with other brave women, she finds camaraderie and a deep sense of purpose.
But when the women's battalion heads to the front, Katya has to confront the horrifying realities of war. Faced with heartbreak and disillusionment, she must reevaluate her commitment and decide where she stands.
Praise for Open Fire
"The volatile mix of gunpowder, strength of spirit, and violence conjures a past so casually detailed it's as if the author lived through it herself. This fierce, loving narrative breathes life into the flames of the Russian Revolution and the muddy, bloody horror of a women's shock battalion storming the trenches of World War I. Katya is a heroine to ache for, and her story is a stunning, vibrant glimpse of a rare moment in women's history."―Elizabeth Wein, author of Code Name Verity, Rose Under Fire, and The Pearl Thief
“A lesser-explored time period is given a compelling and interesting narrative through well-developed characters. Give to readers who enjoy historical fiction and strong female characters."―School Library Journal
“A compelling feminist snapshot of a country―and a girl―at a revolutionary crossroads."―Kirkus Reviews