Overview

In the tradition of Hidden Figures, debut author Patricia Pearson offers a beautifully written account of the remarkable but often forgotten group of female fighter pilots who answered their country's call in its time of need during World War II. At the height of World War II, the US Army Airforce faced a desperate need for skilled pilots--but only men were allowed in military airplanes, even if the expert pilots who were training them to fly were women. Through grit and pure determination, 1,100 of these female pilots--who had to prove their worth time and time again--were finally allowed to ferry planes from factories to bases, to tow targets for live ammunition artillery training, to test repaired planes and new equipment, and more. Though the WASPs lived on military bases, trained as military pilots, wore uniforms, marched in review, and sometimes died violently in the line of duty, they were civilian employees and received less pay than men doing the same jobs and no military benefits, not even for burials. Their story is one of patriotism, the power of positive attitudes, the love of flying, and the willingness to do good with no concern for personal gain.

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9781534404106

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[An] often thrilling tribute to these aviation heroes. --Publishers Weekly * It's a truly inspiring read, and Pearson adeptly addresses the support and censure these fearless and dignified ladies received, and their shamefully drawn-out fight for recognition. --Booklist, starred review [A]n adventurous and tumultuous account. A solid account of women's contributions as aviators during World War II. --Kirkus Reviews Pearson excels at clarifying this complicated war for young readers in a style that is riveting, informative, and never watered down...A fine purchase that provides a more balanced and empowered perspective of U.S. history. --School Library Journal Readers with an interest in women aviators may want to follow this title with Stone's Almost Astronauts (BCCB 4/09) to learn what happened when women tried to soar even higher. --BCCB

[An] often thrilling tribute to these aviation heroes. --Publishers Weekly Pearson excels at clarifying this complicated war for young readers in a style that is riveting, informative, and never watered down...A fine purchase that provides a more balanced and empowered perspective of U.S. history. --School Library Journal [A]n adventurous and tumultuous account. A solid account of women's contributions as aviators during World War II. --Kirkus Reviews * It's a truly inspiring read, and Pearson adeptly addresses the support and censure these fearless and dignified ladies received, and their shamefully drawn-out fight for recognition. --Booklist, starred review Readers with an interest in women aviators may want to follow this title with Stone's Almost Astronauts (BCCB 4/09) to learn what happened when women tried to soar even higher. --BCCB

* It's a truly inspiring read, and Pearson adeptly addresses the support and censure these fearless and dignified ladies received, and their shamefully drawn-out fight for recognition. --Booklist, starred review Pearson excels at clarifying this complicated war for young readers in a style that is riveting, informative, and never watered down...A fine purchase that provides a more balanced and empowered perspective of U.S. history. --School Library Journal [A]n adventurous and tumultuous account. A solid account of women's contributions as aviators during World War II. --Kirkus Reviews [An] often thrilling tribute to these aviation heroes. --Publishers Weekly Readers with an interest in women aviators may want to follow this title with Stone's Almost Astronauts (BCCB 4/09) to learn what happened when women tried to soar even higher. --BCCB

[A]n adventurous and tumultuous account. A solid account of women's contributions as aviators during World War II. --Kirkus Reviews [An] often thrilling tribute to these aviation heroes. --Publishers Weekly * It's a truly inspiring read, and Pearson adeptly addresses the support and censure these fearless and dignified ladies received, and their shamefully drawn-out fight for recognition. --Booklist, starred review Pearson excels at clarifying this complicated war for young readers in a style that is riveting, informative, and never watered down...A fine purchase that provides a more balanced and empowered perspective of U.S. history. --School Library Journal Readers with an interest in women aviators may want to follow this title with Stone's Almost Astronauts (BCCB 4/09) to learn what happened when women tried to soar even higher. --BCCB

Author Information

P. O'Connell Pearson has always taught history--first in the high school classroom and then as a curriculum writer and editor across grade levels. Ready to share her enthusiasm for stories of the past in a new way, she earned an MFA in writing for young people from Lesley University and now writes narrative nonfiction for ages ten and up. Her books have received recognition from Bank Street, NCSS, the New-York Historical Society, Arizona Library Association, and more. When Pearson is not writing about history, she can often be found talking about history as a volunteer with the National Park Service in Washington, DC.

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