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After visiting a friend who returned from World War II confined in a body cast, Kathy Collens felt compelled to enlist in the war effort. In 1944, at the age of 23, she joined the Army. Despite her background as a college-educated dietician from an affluent family, and having attended the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Kathy discovered nothing could fully prepare her for the realities of war.
Girls in a World at War offers a firsthand account of Kathy and four other young women who served in the 223rd General Hospital. Stationed in France, they operated out of a converted horse barn situated near the 82nd Airborne quarters and in close proximity to the Battle of the Bulge. Their patients included survivors released from the Dachau concentration camp.
The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of crossing the Atlantic, lodging in a castle, working with German prisoners of war, and attempts to make dehydrated food and Spam taste good. The book describes the experiences of weddings, a paratroopers’ jump-off dance, and the surprise of a baby’s birth, immersing readers in the narrative. Their adventures included interludes in Switzerland, sailing in the Mediterranean, and the jubilation of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The story also touches on visits to Paris, Biarritz, and trips to the magnificent Reims Cathedral to see ‘The Angel of the Smile’ statue and attend a memorable Christmas Eve service. Romantic entanglements add another layer of complexity to the girls’ wartime journey.
Throughout their trials, these women provided invaluable support to each other, navigating the tragedies of war with resilience and camaraderie. As readers engage with their stories, they’ll find themselves laughing and perhaps shedding a tear, gaining a rare insight into the female perspective of war, grounded in real-life events.
MORE PLACES TO BUY THE BOOK
Available for purchase
Lake County Book Sellers
4766 Washington Sq, White Bear Lake, MN, United States, 55110
Available for purchase
Book Line Books
214 4th Street E
Suite 160 (Inside Union Depot)
St. Paul, MN 55101
Girls in a World at War, Nancy Ewing Munro's experience at the 1936 Olympics
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Book clubs and readers seeking wider-ranging debate and discussion material about young women facing new concepts and choices for their lives will find much to delight and consider in Girls in a World at War, whose realistic portraits of the times is more vivid than most World War II fiction.
Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer
Midwest Book Review
IN THE PRESS
Girls in a World at War immerses readers in vivid descriptions of wartime experiences, from crossing the Atlantic and lodging in a castle to working with German prisoners of war. The narrative includes colorful anecdotes of attempts to make dehydrated food and Spam palatable, weddings, a paratroopers’ jump-off dance, and the surprise of a baby's birth amidst the chaos of war. Kathy's adventures also take readers through interludes in Switzerland, sailing in the Mediterranean, celebrating Victory in Europe (VE) Day, and visiting Paris, Biarritz, and the magnificent Reims Cathedral.
A remarkable aspect of the book is its depiction of the camaraderie and resilience among the women who served in the 223rd General Hospital. Stationed near the 82nd Airborne quarters and in close proximity to the Battle of the Bulge, these women navigated the tragedies of war with unwavering support for one another. Their patients included survivors released from the Dachau concentration camp, adding another layer of depth to their service.
WILL WIGHT,
LIMITLESS MEDIA
Musings of an Author The blog of author Peni Jo Renner
Apple Valley Resident Peggy Munro Scholberg Releases New WWII Book
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Based on a 67-year-old autobiographical manuscript, Girls in a World at War offers a far-too-rare view of war from a smart, adventurous, and independent-minded woman serving as a WAC dietician in an Army General Hospital in France. There, she learns first-hand the grim realities of war, a world tipped in a precarious balance between military rigidity and lawless savagery. True to its original author’s voice and experience, Girls in a World at War resists contemporary cliches about the Greatest Generation to expose the good and the bad, the nobility and the meanness, of people thrown together with the fate of the globe at stake.
~Todd DePastino is the author of Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front and Executive Director of Veterans Breakfast Club.
Girls in a World at War by Peggy Scholberg is a deeply moving and expertly crafted story that brings to life the experiences of young women during World War II. Set against a backdrop of unimaginable hardship and change, this novel follows a group of friends who navigate love, loss, and the strength of their own resilience as they grow up amidst the chaos of war. Scholberg’s writing is both tender and poignant, capturing the inner lives of her characters with sensitivity and depth. Her portrayal of friendship and courage in the face of overwhelming odds is nothing short of inspiring. Through historical detail and emotional narrative, Girls in a World at War offers readers a powerful glimpse into the lives of women who are often unsung heroes of history. The characters are vivid and relatable, making it impossible not to root for them as they face the realities of war with determination and hope. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, stories of friendship, or tales of resilience and strength. Scholberg has created a true gem that deserves a place on everyone’s bookshelf. Highly recommended for readers of all ages—prepare to be moved and inspired!
~A five-star review by Barnes and Noble reader
Book Review in Readers Entertainment Magazine
The AR Critique
The Stupf File Program
American Legion Post 1776 Apple Valley Newsletter
Great story about US
Servicewomen in WWII
I read a lot of WWII content. Stories about women often fall into two categories: 1) women in the French Resistance; or 2) women who served in the SoE. It's rare to read a story about US servicewomen. I was just thrilled to come across this book, which has an amazing origin story, and to discover very quickly how well-written and researched it was. Kudos to Peggy Scholberg for finishing what her mother started and for delivering such a wonderful reading experience! I learned a lot along the way.
The Douglas Coleman
Show
Authority Magazine
About the Book on D-Day Eyewitness Accounts of WW2
Book Review on Amazon
"An engaging read."
The Author's Show
Story on D-Day Eyewitness Accounts of WW2
Escape with a Writer
Peggy Scholberg speaking about the Red Ball Express during WWII. February 26, 2025. A Presentation to the Eighth Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota, Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington, Minnesota. Videographer and Archivist, Kevin Callahan.
Voyage Minnesota
"Girls in a World at War" is author PEGGY SCHOLBERG'S accounting of her mother's story as one of five women who served in a hospital in France during World War II. It covers a wide swath of their adventures from the initial crossing of the Atlantic to working with German POWs and their adventures from Paris to Switzerland. It offers a female non-combatant's perspective.
Pioneer Press
Book Review
BIO
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Peggy Munro Scholberg is delighted to at last bring her mother’s telling of her story from World War II to publication. Peggy and her husband Bill live in Apple Valley, Minnesota, where they raised two sons. Together, they retraced her parents’ European travels and delved into World War II history.
Following her career as a pharmacy manager, Peggy now revels in retirement. Mirroring her mother’s passion, Peggy delights in culinary experimentation, while inheriting her father’s fondness for sports.
PRESS KIT
PRESS
RELEASE
Places Peggy Has Shared Her Story
Over the past two years, Peggy Scholberg has connected with readers across America through a variety of presentations, book signings, fairs, community events, senior programs, veterans' gatherings, libraries, bookstores, and educational organizations. Whether speaking to audiences, participating in local festivals, or meeting readers at vendor booths, Peggy enjoys sharing her stories, discussing her writing journey, and engaging with communities throughout the region. The events listed below represent just some of the places where she has had the opportunity to meet readers and celebrate a shared love of books and storytelling.
Recent Presentations, Book Signings & Community Events
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Lake Elmo Farmers Market
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Rosemount Country Faire
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Bloomington Art Fair
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Burnsville Rotary Club
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Eden Prairie Rotary Club
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Fair Trade Books, Red Wing, Minnesota
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Burnsville YMCA
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Alan Miller Television Show
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Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Roundtable, Minnesota History Center
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Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Savannah, Georgia
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Summit Place Senior Living Presentation
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Lakeville Heritage Center Senior Program
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Fact & Fiction Books, Missoula, Montana
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Rosemount Writers Festival & Book Fair
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Kiwanis Club of Northeast Minneapolis
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Annandale Military Days
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Eagan High Tea at the Community Center
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St. Louis Park Senior Community Center