December 16, 1944. In the frozen forests of the Ardennes, a surprise attack by the German army on American Allied forces launched the long, hard slog that was the Battle of the Bulge. Sir Winston Churchill called it "the greatest American battle of the war and . . . an ever-famous American victory."

In clear and accessible prose, World War II historian, Pulitzer Prize winner, and New York Times-bestselling author Rick Atkinson skillfully navigates the attacks, counterattacks, advances, and retreats of this terrible bloodbath. Whether history buffs or newcomers to the topic, young readers will appreciate the many fascinating facts, photographs, and statistics included in this book, and thrill in this real-life account of victory against all odds.

This thoroughly-researched and documented book can be worked into multiple aspects of the common core curriculum.