Valor Wings

* Sunshine State Young Readers Award 2026-2027

* Surrey Schools Book of the Year Nominee 2025-2026

Everyone in Iris’s small English village avoids the dragon in the woods. Everyone, that is, except for Iris. She knows Galahad would never hurt her—she’s been caring for the dragon since he lost his mother when he was a baby. When Galahad is accused of stealing military rations, Iris strikes a bargain that will spare Galahad’s life…but send him off to the war brewing in Europe. Soon after, she receives news that her brother is among the troops trapped in France by the advancing German army. Refusing to give up hope, Iris devises a desperate plan that will either save both her brother and her best friend—or end in disaster.

Resources to help teachers and students get the most out of Valor Wings!

Educator's Guide for Valor Wings

Add Valor Wings to your curriculum with this chapter-by-chapter teacher’s guide with discussion questions and extension activities tied to Common Core.

Readgab Interview: Genre Smash!

I chat with Readgab’s Karen Reeder about how much fun it was to smash together dragons and WW2 in Valor Wings!

Read to Write Kidlit: Dominoes, Not Hurdles

Check out this podcast episode where I talk with fellow authors Brittany and Alexis about building tension in your writing using examples from Valor Wings.

Valor Wings Reviews!

"A friend's 10yo daughter looked through my entire bookshelf and chose Valor Wings. She was so drawn into the story that when we walked to the pool, we had to lead her by the elbow so she could keep reading while walking. If you're looking for the perfect book for Wings of Fire fans, she says to check this one out right away!"

Alyssa Colman

Author of The Tarnished Garden

"The idea of dragons going to save Iris's brother in the war was very cool. At first I thought I would not enjoy this book because wars never really interested me, but this book made me want to read it and in the end I really loved it!"

Ema

Seventh Grader

"Dunkirk with dragons! This is a must-read for kids, and quite honestly adults, who love fantasy and/or historical fiction! Also, I know that sometimes the length of fantasy books can be off-putting and intimidating for some young readers, but this book is a great length!"

Julie DenOuden

Elementary Teacher

"Sam Subity's VALOR WINGS has it all: adventure, fantasy, history, and cliffhangers that will have young readers turning pages way past their bedtimes. Themes of bravery and valor will inspire. And I loved that the valor in question is shown largely by female protagonists."

Kate Albus

Author of Nothing Else but Miracles

"I have so much love for this book! My students and I both love a good dragon story, and this one hits all the right notes. Readers will fall in love with Galahad, and will be on the edge of their seats at the end of each chapter. Another must read by Sam Subity!

Erin Bedell

Elementary Librarian and Member of #bookposse

"I had a blast tearing through this historical fantasy of WWII with dragons. From the first line, Subity masterfully sets a world where dragons are a fact of life and boom! We rush headlong into high-stakes action. A page-turning romp kids will love."

Nicole Collier

Author of The Best Friend Bracelet

"Valor Wings was just the book I needed to get out of my reading slump! Sam Subity has woven a tale that not only transports the reader to the heart of WWII, but also pulls at our heartstrings. It has the feel of a classic children's novel, one that will be cherished for years to come. I absolutely loved this book!"

Payal Doshi

Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar

"I had scarcely opened the book before my 8yo swept in and demanded to know what the book was. She proceeded to take it from me, and devour it over the next three days, refusing to let me read at the same time as her. She loved it, and thinks it should be made into a movie."

Christiana Doucette

Author and Mother of Middle Grade Readers

"From the very first sentence, VALOR WINGS grabs you and doesn't let you go. There are a lot of moments of impending doom and close calls propelled forward by cliffhanger chapter endings, with action-packed tension throughout, that makes this a sure-fire page-turner for middle grade readers."

Ben Gartner

Author of One Giant Leap