Talkin' about Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman

Soar along with Bessie Coleman in this inspirational tale of a woman whose determination reached new heights.

Elizabeth Bessie Coleman was always being told what she could & couldn't do. In an era when Jim Crow laws and segregation were a way of life, it was not easy to survive. Bessie didn't let that stop her. Although she was only 11 when the Wright brothers took their historic flight, she vowed to become the first African -American female pilot. Her sturdy faith and determination helped her overcome obstacles of poverty, racism, and gender discrimination. Innovatively told through a series of monologues.

Author: Nikki Grimes
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: 11/01/2002
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.19lbs
Size: 12.36h x 9.20w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9780439352437
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.1
Point Value: 1
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 67497 / Talkin' about Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman


Award: Bookseller's Choice - Winner
Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Winner
Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 10/15/2002 pg. 1530
School Library Journal 10/01/2002 pg. 183
PW Notes and Reprints 11/25/2002 pg. 71
Booklist 11/15/2002 pg. 602
Black Issues Book Review 01/01/2003 pg. 65
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2003 pg. 96
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2003 pg. 200
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2003 pg. 796
Booklist 02/15/2003 pg. 1083
BookPage 03/01/2003 pg. 29
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2003 pg. 1308
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2002 pg. 176 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
Booklist 06/01/2003 pg. 1793
Multicultural Review 06/01/2003 pg. 86
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 176 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
School Library Journal 10/01/2004
Publishers Weekly 11/25/2002

About the Author
E. B. Lewis Won a Caldecott Honor for COMING ON HOME SOON by Jacqueline Woodson. He has also won the Coretta Scott King Award and Coretta Scott King Honor three times. He graduated from Temple University's Tyler School of Art and now teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Mr Lewis lives in Folsom, New Jersey. Visit www.eblewis.com to learn more.
Nikki Grimes won a 2014 Coretta Scott King Honor for WORDS WITH WINGS, and she is the author of BRONX MASQUERADE, which won the Coretta Scott King Award. Nikki is also the author of four other Coretta Scott King Honor books: TALKIN' ABOUT BESSIE, JAZMIN'S NOTEBOOK, THE ROAD TO PARIS, and DARK SONS. She won the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Nikki lives in Corona, California. Visit her online at www.nikkigrimes.com.