In the Spring of 1944, Americans anxiously awaited news of a European invasion. Radio reports announced D-Day on June 6, 1944. Read this excerpt from Songbird! The figures of her father and grandpa, sitting close by the radio, broke through her wistful thinking. She was surprised to see them. Normally, they would already be out feeding the animals. Her father’s neck was bent forward over the black box, his elbows were upright on his knees, and his whole body was stiff. Grandpa Chester was more relaxed, but his arms were limp by his slouching sides, and his eyes were fixed on the ceiling above. Ava didn’t dare move another step or say a word. Instead, she held her breath and listened to the clear, authoritative male voice coming through the box. “Under the command of General Eisenhower, Allied naval forces, supported by strong air forces, began landing Allied armies this morning on the northern coast of France.” There was a long pause, and a more somber male voice spoke. “You have just heard Colonel Ernest Dupuy, Eisenhower’s press aide, confirm the invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944.” There was a loud sigh from her parents’ bedroom, and Ava realized that her mother was also listening. They each knew that they had just been told where James was. Songbird, Chapter 47
