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Born to Fly

The First Women's Air Race Across America

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
Born to Fly is the gripping story of the fearless women pilots who aimed for the skies—and beyond.
Just nine years after American women finally got the right to vote, a group of trailblazers soared to new heights in the 1929 Air Derby, the first women's air race across the U.S. Follow the incredible lives of legend Amelia Earhart, who has captivated generations; Marvel Crosson, who built a plane before she even learned how to fly; Louise Thaden, who shattered jaw-dropping altitude records; and Elinor Smith, who at age seventeen made headlines when she flew under the Brooklyn Bridge.
These awe-inspiring stories culminate in a suspenseful, nail-biting rate across the country that brings to life the glory and grit of the dangerous and thrilling early days of flying, expertly told by the master of nonfiction history for young readers, National Book Award finalist Steve Sheinkin.
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    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Kim Mai Guest chronicles the lives of some of the top women aviators of the 1920s and their race across America. Using dramatic pauses to capture her audience, Guest weaves the stories of some of the greats, including Louise Thedan, Ruth Elder, Marvel Crosson, Amelia Earhart, Bobbi Trout, Florence Barnes, and many others, from their very beginnings in flight to their participation in The Women's Air Derby of 1929. The dynamic tone that Guest creates reflects the determination of these daring aviators. Listeners will rally around this adventurous group of aerial pioneers who pushed to not only break new ground for women, but also for all pilots during the early age of aviation. M.D. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      September 2, 2019
      In this riveting account, Newbery Honor author Sheinkin (Bomb) introduces 20 American pilots who flew in the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, from Santa Monica, Calif., to Cleveland, Ohio. How the women deftly handled weather, accidents, fires, exhaustion, and far too many chicken dinner banquets are among the accounts. Even threats of sabotage, scorn from the media, and sexual discrimination failed to dissuade the determined flyers from crossing the finish line. Pilot Marvel Crosson,who lost her life in the race, wrote that she had given her all to proving that “women are the best pilots in the world.” Later forming the first organization of women pilots, playing important roles in WWII, and setting speed and endurance records, these pioneering aviators also inspired future pilots, including astronauts Sally Ride and Linda Godwin. Historical photos and Karman’s realistic drawings bring to life famous women, such as Amelia Earheart, along with lesser-known flyers. With immediacy and vivid detail, Sheinken’s thoroughly researched account of these daring women will capture the imagination of contemporary readers. Ages 10–14.

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  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

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