Review of Born to Fly

Born to Fly
Written by Steve Sheinkin
Illustrated by Bijou Karman
Age Level: 10 - 14                                                             
​Grade Level: 4 – 6

​​I discovered this book at a writers’ conference. It was recommended as a model for  nonfiction. The details the author uncovered from a century ago were incredible.
 
In the first third you’ll meet fliers like Amelia Earhart, Marvel Crosson, Louise Thaden, and Elinor Smith as little girls. You’ll read about the kinds of things they did  as kids, the things that shaped them into the women they’d become.
 
The second third follows them into the 1929 Air Derby, the first  women’s race across the US. Women had just earned the right to vote in 1920, and now they were fighting to fly an airplane. The public believed women weren’t capable of flying, let alone doing it cross country.
 
The final third follows our heroines past the race and into their future. It’s the end to each of their stories. The back matter will show you the author’s source notes and photo credits. BORN TO FLY is well done from the start to the finish line!

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