Born to Fly - by Steve Sheinkin (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Honor recipient Steve Sheinkin, Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America is the gripping true story of the fearless women pilots who aimed for the skies--and beyond.

Featuring illustrations by Bijou Karman.

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 race across the country that brings to life the glory and grit of the dangerous and thrilling early days of flying. From Steve Sheinkin, the master of nonfiction for young readers who expertly unraveled the infamous story of whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg and the impeachment of Richard Nixon, comes the untold story of fearless women who dared to fly.

This title has common core connections.

A 2020 ALSC Notable Children's Book

Also by Steve Sheinkin:

Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Which Way to the Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About Westward Expansion
King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution
Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War

Review Quotes

"Above all, Sheinkin makes the Derby pilots' passion for the sky so contagious, even a white-knuckle flier's heart can't help but soar." -- The New York Times

*" Sheinkin's story-like narration puts readers right in the action, making them gasp and cheer along with the fliers... This book soars as it details these often overlooked figures from history." --Booklist, starred review

*"Born to Fly is full of emergency landings, nail-biting finishes and (probable) acts of sabotage; when there isn't an archival photo to capture a moment, Bijou Karman's unpretentious line art fills in the gaps." --Shelf Awareness, starred review

*" Sheinkin's thorough research and attention to detail make the era come alive for readers." --School Library Journal, starred review

*[S]oaring past boundaries. -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Suspenseful, informative, and remarkably uplifting." --Kirkus Reviews

"With immediacy and vivid detail, Sheinken's thoroughly researched account of these daring women will capture the imagination of contemporary readers." --Publishers Weekly

"Sheinkin is a history writer of unusual gumption and no shortage of nerve. Born to Fly is a real barn burner." -- Shelf Awareness

"Lively and engaging." --Horn Book

Undefeated:
"A model of research and documentation as well as of stylish writing that tells an always absorbing story." --Booklist, starred review

"A thoroughly engrossing and extensively researched examination of football's first 'all-American.' " --School Library Journal, starred review

Most Dangerous:
"Easily the best study of the Vietnam War available for teen readers." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

The Port Chicago 50:
"Sheinkin delivers another meticulously researched WWII story." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

Bomb:
"This is edge-of-the-seat material." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

The Notorious Benedict Arnold:
"American history is brought to life in this engaging story of revolution and treason." --School Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Steve Sheinkin is the acclaimed author of fast-paced, cinematic nonfiction histories for young readers, including The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights, The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery, and Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. His accolades include a Newbery Honor, three Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, a Sibert Medal, and three National Book Award finalist honors. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York, with his wife and two children.

Bijou Karman is an artist and illustrator from Los Angeles. She graduated with Distinction from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Bijou is inspired by nostalgia and a love of print and bright colors. She spends most of her time working on illustrations for editorials, books, and advertising, but also works in gouache to create paintings centered around fashion. She has illustrated How to Dress by Alexandra Fullerton, What Would Boudicca Do? by E. Foley and B. Coates, and the covers of the Penguin Classics editions of books by John Steinbeck and Iris Murdoch.