AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS • A young African American woman dreams of soaring through the skies in this inspiring and thought-provoking historical fiction novel.
“A dynamic, heartfelt novel.”—The Washington Post
“A thrilling, but little-known story that begs to be told. The book is at once informative and entertaining.”—School Library Journal
All Ida Mae Jones wants to do if fly.
Ida’s daddy was a pilot, and when he took her flying, she never wanted to come down again. But after his death, the sky is off-limits to a young black woman such as Ida. When America enters World War II, the army forms the WASP—Women Airforce Service Pilots—and Ida has a chance to join, if she’s willing to use her light skin to pass as a white girl. She wants to fly more than anything, but Ida soon learns that denying one’s identity and family is a heavy burden. Can she fulfill her dream without losing herself?
The Washington Post Best Kids' Books of the Year • ALA Best Books for Young Adults • California Book Awards Young Adult Gold Medal Winner • Texas Tayshas High School Reading List • Children's Indie Next List • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books • Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children • Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
"This breakthrough title adds a new story to the shelves of World War II books."—Booklist, starred review
"A dynamic, heartfelt novel."—The Washington Post
"A thrilling, but little-known story that begs to be told. The book is at once informative and entertaining."—School Library Journal
"This well-told, interesting story moves along at a good clip . . . A vibrant picture of WWII women and of Jim Crow as it was then."—Kirkus Reviews
"It was hard not to find myself cheering Ida Mae on. Hard not to get an itch to fly after reading this. Sherri Smith is a truly talented writer and Flygirl is a wonderful story."—Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning author
Sherri L. Smith is not a pilot, but she makes an excellent passenger (unless it’s a very small plane). She is the author of numerous acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books for young people, including Flygirl, the winner of the California Book Awards’ Gold Medal; The Blossom and the Firefly, the winner of the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; Orleans; and Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen? She teaches creative writing at Hamline University. Born in Chicago, Sherri now lives in Los Angeles. Learn more at SherriLSmith.com and follow her on Twitter @Sherri_L_Smith.
View titles by Sherri L. Smith
AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS • A young African American woman dreams of soaring through the skies in this inspiring and thought-provoking historical fiction novel.
“A dynamic, heartfelt novel.”—The Washington Post
“A thrilling, but little-known story that begs to be told. The book is at once informative and entertaining.”—School Library Journal
All Ida Mae Jones wants to do if fly.
Ida’s daddy was a pilot, and when he took her flying, she never wanted to come down again. But after his death, the sky is off-limits to a young black woman such as Ida. When America enters World War II, the army forms the WASP—Women Airforce Service Pilots—and Ida has a chance to join, if she’s willing to use her light skin to pass as a white girl. She wants to fly more than anything, but Ida soon learns that denying one’s identity and family is a heavy burden. Can she fulfill her dream without losing herself?
Praise
The Washington Post Best Kids' Books of the Year • ALA Best Books for Young Adults • California Book Awards Young Adult Gold Medal Winner • Texas Tayshas High School Reading List • Children's Indie Next List • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books • Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children • Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
"This breakthrough title adds a new story to the shelves of World War II books."—Booklist, starred review
"A dynamic, heartfelt novel."—The Washington Post
"A thrilling, but little-known story that begs to be told. The book is at once informative and entertaining."—School Library Journal
"This well-told, interesting story moves along at a good clip . . . A vibrant picture of WWII women and of Jim Crow as it was then."—Kirkus Reviews
"It was hard not to find myself cheering Ida Mae on. Hard not to get an itch to fly after reading this. Sherri Smith is a truly talented writer and Flygirl is a wonderful story."—Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning author
Sherri L. Smith is not a pilot, but she makes an excellent passenger (unless it’s a very small plane). She is the author of numerous acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books for young people, including Flygirl, the winner of the California Book Awards’ Gold Medal; The Blossom and the Firefly, the winner of the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; Orleans; and Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen? She teaches creative writing at Hamline University. Born in Chicago, Sherri now lives in Los Angeles. Learn more at SherriLSmith.com and follow her on Twitter @Sherri_L_Smith.
View titles by Sherri L. Smith
