Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America

From New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Award 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


Author: Steve Sheinkin
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Published: 09/24/2019
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.28lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781626721302
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.3
Point Value: 8
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 505144 / Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2019
Booklist 08/01/2019 pg. 49
School Library Journal 09/01/2019 pg. 148
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2019 - Book Of Special Distinction
Publishers Weekly 09/02/2019
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2019 pg. 118
Shelf Awareness 10/11/2019
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2019 - Superior,Well Above Average

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.