Midway: Five Minutes That Turned the Pacific

The Pacific War was about to change forever-and it started with a hole in the clouds. In June 1942, six months after Pearl Harbor, Japan's most powerful aircraft carriers steamed toward a speck of sand and coral called Midway. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto had designed a giant trap. He meant to finish the American fleet and open the ocean road to Hawaii. American codebreakers had already guessed the target. Admiral Chester Nimitz had to decide whether to trust them. He sent three carriers-Enterprise, Hornet, and the patched-up Yorktown-into an ambush of his own. On the morning of June 4, slow American torpedo planes were shot down at the wave tops. Then dive bombers from Enterprise and Yorktown rolled through a break in the clouds. In about five minutes, three Japanese carriers were on fire. A fourth would burn before the day was done. Epic Battles: Midway brings young readers into the fight that turned the Pacific War, when a smaller American fleet beat a larger Japanese one because of secret codes, hard choices, and a few minutes of skill and luck. Written for curious readers ages 7-13, this fast-paced nonfiction book is designed for young history fans, homeschool families, classroom teachers, and parents who want history to feel exciting, clear, and meaningful. Inside, readers will discover: - Why a tiny atoll mattered after Pearl Harbor - How Station HYPO's codebreakers uncovered Japan's plan - Why Admiral Nimitz gambled three carriers on that intelligence - How torpedo squadrons and Dauntless dive bombers shaped the battle >A timeline, glossary, battle narrative, and review questions for learning and discussion Perfect for young history fans, homeschool families, classrooms, and readers who enjoy exciting true stories, Epic Battles: Midway turns a World War II turning point into an unforgettable story of codebreaking, courage, and five minutes that changed the war.