Five about Women Flying High

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-- School Library Journal, 3/14/2007

To celebrate the long, proud story of women in flight, here is a sampling of top-drawer biographies and general surveys that will take young readers from the airplane's early days to Sally Ride's historic mission into space.

ATKINS, Jeannine. Wings and Rockets: The Story of Women in Air and Space. illus. by Dusan Petricic. Farrar. 2003. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-374-38450-0.

Gr 5-10–This excellent title gives a fascinating glimpse into the history of women who were pioneers in the field of aviation. It begins with Katharine Wright in 1903 (who knew Orville and Wilbur had a sister?) and ends with Commander Eileen Collins and the space shuttle in 1999. In between, readers meet some of the most interesting and gutsy women ever: Blanche Stuart Scott, Bessie Coleman, Amelia Earhart, Jackie Cochran, Ann Baumgartner, Jerrie Cobb, and Shannon Lucid, to name a few. Each chapter tells a story of one woman's courage and determination to pursue her dream. Many of the subjects did not survive, but they knew the risks and took them gladly. The writing is crisp and captivating, but filled with fabricated dialogue and thoughts "based on what the women wrote about themselves and what others said about them." The pen-and-ink drawings add an interesting and illuminating touch. Each section ends with additional information (in italics) about the progress of aviation and anecdotes about colorful figures of the times. Filled with a multitude of historical tidbits to satisfy armchair historians or pilots, this book may entice students to read more about these women and their role in aviation history.–Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA

CUMMINS, Julie. Tomboy of the Air: Daredevil Pilot Blanche Stuart Scott. HarperCollins. 2001. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-029138-9; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-029243-0.

Gr 3-6–A spellbinding biography, adroitly told. Before Amelia Earhart there was Blanche Stuart Scott. She was a daredevil, looking to make a name for herself in the early 20th century. And so she did. In 1910 she drove from New York to San Francisco, with the press in tow. She was the first woman to fly in the U.S., first to make a long-distance flight, first woman test pilot, and so on. Several attempts were made on her life, including two by a misogynist airplane mechanic. In one stunt mishap, she broke 41 bones. After giving up flying, she worked in Hollywood as a writer, and ended up back in her New York home as a radio talk-show host. As Cummins makes clear, she was a fascinating trailblazer, and not just in flight. Archival photographs, many with chatty captions, further enhance the engaging text. A time line sums up Scott's long, amazing life. It's a mystery that there are no other books on this incredible woman. Since readers and browsers might not have heard of her, a booktalk might be in order to introduce this page-turning thriller.–Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

LANGLEY, Wanda. Flying Higher: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II. Linnet. 2002. Tr $25. ISBN 978-0-208-02506-7.

Gr 6-10–Although they didn't see combat in World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots belong to an interesting and important chapter in the history of women in the military and in aviation. Led, organized, and inspired by strong, resourceful individuals like Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Harkness Love, the WASPs trained hard, worked hard, and did it all with style. Flying Higher chronicles the formation of their training program, and follows one class of trainees. It includes lots of detail about the aircraft and the women, especially the challenges that they faced with bravery and humor. This is a riveting and highly readable history in which Langley balances technical information and personal stories, making for a satisfying narrative. The story of the WASPs is subtly placed into the context of America's involvement in World War II, and the role of women at the time. Black-and-white archival photographs and pertinent quotes appear throughout. Amy Nathan's Yankee Doodle Gals (National Geographic, 2001) takes a slightly different point of view and has terrific photographs. Overall, Flying Higher is a good choice for reports and personal-interest reading.–Laura Reed, Pickering Public Library, Ontario, Canada

RIDE, Sally & Susan Okie. To Space and Back. HarperCollins. 1986. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-0-688-06159-3; pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-0-688-09112-5.

Gr 1 Up–From the alarm clock ringing at 3:15 a.m. on launch day to getting used to gravity again after returning to Earth, Sally Ride takes readers on a trip in a space shuttle. This oversized book has plenty of clear, full-color photos that follow and supplement the text and bring to life the shuttle flight. Ride's zest for the adventure comes through clearly, making this a book that can be read aloud to young children, please an adult, or inspire anyone in between. This is much shorter and more accessible than previous accounts by astronauts, e.g., Gemini! (Macmillan, 1966; o.p.) by Virgil "Gus" Grissom or Flying to the Moon (Farrar, 1994) by Michael Collins. Just the right book to keep the dream alive while awaiting the next chance for a new American space adventure.–Margaret L. Chatham, formerly at Smithtown Library, NY

SZABO, Corinne. Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart. National Geographic. 1997. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-7922-3737-2.

Gr 3-6–In appealing National Geographic style, this large-format photobiography celebrates Earhart's contributions to the world of aviation and the status of women. Readers will find the anecdotal text, captioned black-and-white photographs, and philosophical quotes from Earhart engrossing and motivating. Although lengthier narrative detail and several smaller duplicate photographs can be found in Patricia Lauber's Lost Star (Scholastic, 1990) and Roxanne Chadwick's Amelia Earhart (Lerner, 1987; o.p.), this new title offers a fresh, high-quality visual introduction to the first lady of aviation. Speculation about her disappearance is briefly presented in the afterword. The emphasis of this biography is on the mystique, spirit, and independence of Amelia Earhart, which continue to inspire young women today.–Gerry Larson, Durham Magnet Center, Durham, NC