Overview
Fictionalized history of the Women Airforce Pilots (WASP) of WWII - the first women in history trained to fly American military aircraft. Still in their teens, these courageous pioneers, heroes in their own right, left their homes to serve their country doing what they loved to do—fly! Their story inspires us all to follow our dreams and find our own place in the world through courage, integrity, and passion. Readers of all ages will love the WASP's story of achievement, friendship, and patriotism.Synopsis
Fictionalized history of the Women Airforce Pilots (WASP) of WWII - the first women in history trained to fly American military aircraft. Still in their teens, these courageous pioneers, heroes in their own right, left their homes to serve their country doing what they loved to do--fly! Their story inspires us all to follow our dreams and find our own place in the world through courage, integrity, and passion. Readers of all ages will love the WASP's story of achievement, friendship, and patriotism.
School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up- It's 1944, and 18-year-old Byrd Thompson, an Iowa farm girl, dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot. Her mother and sister are against it because her father died eight years earlier in a small plane crash. Having secretly earned her pilot's license and scraped together some money by giving lessons, Byrd leaves home to join the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX. There she is assigned to Bay 4 with spunky Sadie; Southern-belle Cornelia; Chinese-American Opal; Deirdre (whose brother is a POW); and Jean, who fails the first flight test and is sent home. Learning to fly "the Army way" is not easy, but Byrd is determined, and grouchy Major Pickett is a demanding teacher. More motivation is provided by handsome Lieutenant Andrews and the encouragement of Byrd's friends. The prose is sometimes awkward, and Byrd's reunion with her family is abrupt and anticlimactic, but her story is compelling, and it sheds light on a little-known piece of American history. It should serve as an inspiration to anyone who dreams of doing the unconventional.-Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Editorials
School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up- It's 1944, and 18-year-old Byrd Thompson, an Iowa farm girl, dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot. Her mother and sister are against it because her father died eight years earlier in a small plane crash. Having secretly earned her pilot's license and scraped together some money by giving lessons, Byrd leaves home to join the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX. There she is assigned to Bay 4 with spunky Sadie; Southern-belle Cornelia; Chinese-American Opal; Deirdre (whose brother is a POW); and Jean, who fails the first flight test and is sent home. Learning to fly "the Army way" is not easy, but Byrd is determined, and grouchy Major Pickett is a demanding teacher. More motivation is provided by handsome Lieutenant Andrews and the encouragement of Byrd's friends. The prose is sometimes awkward, and Byrd's reunion with her family is abrupt and anticlimactic, but her story is compelling, and it sheds light on a little-known piece of American history. It should serve as an inspiration to anyone who dreams of doing the unconventional.-Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI