A journey made through air and space is the definition of flight. People have always been fascinated and curious about things that can fly. From Greek mythology, Icarus tried to escape from Crete with wings made from feathers and wax. Leonardo da Vinci toyed with the idea of flying machines. Heroes of flight include the recently departed Sally Ride, as well as Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Beryl Markham, Eddie Rickenbacker, Chuck Yeager, and others who earned respect for their daring flights in history. Harry Potter and wizard friends could fly with the help of their quidditch brooms. Birds, insects, kites, aircraft, and space vehicles transcend earth and wind and fly into the unknown. Young readers develop this fascination with flight at an early age. The International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading SIG book review column this week is devoted to all aspects of flight through fact and fiction.
ReadWriteThink offers several nonfiction lesson plan ideas on various concepts of flight featuring Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, the Wright Brothers, the space shuttle, and more. ReadWriteThink salutes first woman in space Sally Ride as well.
GRADES K-3
Bell, Cece. (2008). Bee-wigged. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Most children (and adults) dislike bees. Jerry Bee is an enormous bee who loves people. He tries very hard to make friends by giving away his honey, calling people on the telephone and chasing potential pals, but nothing works. One morning Jerry finds an old wig and a school bus driver mistakes him for a young man. This new disguise helps him finally make new friends at school. But Jerry’s helpful, generous, kind and inspiring personality help him make even more friends. One day Jerry’s wig flies right off his head and everyone notices that he is really an enormous bee. They all flee in a hurry. Thankfully one friend sticks up for Jerry and exclaims that he has never stung anyone. Learning about how Jerry makes friends, especially his kind personality, could be helpful to young students.
- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver
Cecil, Randy. (2012). Horsefly and honeybee. New York: Henry Holt.
Honeybee was tired and plopped down inside a flower for a nap, but found horsefly inside. The two insects fight over the space and each loses a wing. With only one wing, neither can fly any longer and they part ways. While honeybee walks home she suddenly is grabbed from behind by a bullfrog who carries her off to a lily pad. Bullfrog is collecting insects for his dinner and horsefly is already waiting. Both insects pout and moan, fearing what will happen to them next. Instinctively they grab each other and flap a wing, up up up they go out of reach of bullfrog’s sticky tongue. Sometimes enemies need to work together to get out of messy situations.
- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver
Covell, David. (2012). Rat and roach: Friends to the end. New York: Viking Juvenile.
Everyone needs a friend or two, but sometimes it’s hard work to maintain a friendship. After all, just because two individuals are friends doesn't mean they have the same likes, dislikes or personalities. When those differences almost seem insurmountable, the friends will have to decide how much they value the friendship and how much each one is willing to compromise. It might be surprising that a friendship forms between Rat and his somewhat high-strung winged companion Roach. Then again, who knows what causes friendships between a rodent and the sometimes high-flying Roach to form or to break? On the surface, the two have very little in common. Rat is smelly and enjoys passing gas, while Roach likes his air fresh and sweetly scented. They don't agree on housekeeping, cooking or the volume of music. When the two become angry at one another, they decide to quit speaking, and a quiet truce is maintained. But the silence prompts them to miss each other and their shared good times, and eventually they hug--a little too tightly for Roach's taste--and make up. The story has been told before, of course, but never in quite this fashion. The illustrations are a treat all to themselves with one depicting Rat happily banging away on his tuna cans drums.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
Hawke, Richard. (2012). Creepy critters: A pop-up book of creatures that jump, crawl, and fly. Illus. by Robin Bouttell. Paper engineering by Richard Hawke. New York: Abrams.
All children are fascinated with creatures that jump, crawl or fly. The opening page notes that there are more than a million different types of bugs in the world. This book highlights six amazing creepy critters with a large pop-up of the creature along with interesting facts and information about their life cycles, where they live, what they like to eat and much more. For example, did you know that there are around 18,000 species of grasshoppers? Kids will want to keep reading to find out that grasshoppers are usually green or brown to camouflage themselves in grass. Surprisingly they can jump up to 20 times their body length and their ears are located on their stomach or knees. In addition, grasshopper blood does not contain any oxygen, so it appears green. Children will fondly pore over this book and read every single detail.
- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver
Lawrence, Ellen. (2012). A butterfly’s life. New York: Bearport.
Written in a science journal format, this information picture book will pique young children’s interest about butterflies. Sam keeps track of each butterfly he sees and chronicles what they are doing. Full-page photographs accompany the journal entries along with text boxes, small illustrations and labels. One day Sam finds over 50 monarch butterfly eggs under the leaves of milkweed plants. The supplementary text box states that female monarchs lay about 400 eggs. In addition, the book includes a table of contents, index, more information about butterflies, science vocabulary and a science lab. This is the perfect text to share during a science unit on butterflies or to have available for silent reading. Children will enjoy viewing and reading this book to learn more about our world.
- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver
Lund, Deb. (2012) Dinosoaring. Illustrated by Howard Fine. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Written in rhyming couplets, this soaring story explains how six dinofliers end up in an airshow, which is not an easy thing to do as dinofliers get into their dinogoggles and try to take off to fulfill their dinoplan. The crowd below cheer as they watch the dinofliers Dinodance on the wings and pull several aerial antics until they get dinosick and have to bail out on dinochutes. Fine’s watercolor and gouache paintings create the image of huge animals with many double page spreads to expand the hilarity of these silly dinosaurs. The interesting vocabulary will make for a fun read aloud and the author/illustrator leave a hint of another book in this series (Dinosailors, 2003 and All Aboard the Dinotrain, 2006) when the plane crashes into a cow pasture and questions, “What comes next?” Visit the author’s FaceBook page.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Mayo, Margaret. (p2012, c2011) Zoom, rocket, zoom! Illustrated by Alex Ayliffe. Walker & Co.
Fun, rhythmic language combined with typography that reflects the dynamics and action of space travel make this a perfect introduction to space travel and information about outer space for the very youngest readers. Boldly colored cut-paper collage illustrations add to the childlike appeal and energy of this introduction to space while the rhymed language fills in the details. Space stations, space vehicles, robotics, lunar modules, and satellites are just a few of the objects the author and illustrator zoom into view for children. The book ends with a child in pajamas looking into the night sky wondering what secrets are out there in the universe.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
McReynolds, Linda. (2012) Eight days gone. Illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke. Charlesbridge.
Linda McReynolds makes her debut into the children’s book world with this nonfiction book about the Apollo 11 moon flight and landing. As crowds gather in 1969 at Kennedy Space Center to watch the moon landing, the book opens with “Hundreds gather/ Hot July/ Spaceship ready -/ set to fly.” These short rhymed verses do an excellent job of describing the moon launch on that historic day for young readers. Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong are featured in verse and the part they played is described when they landed on the moon. In the author’s note at the end a photograph of the lunar module is provided with more details about the moon landing in addition to a bibliography and websites for further reading.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Metzger, Steve. (2012). Pluto visits Earth! Illus. by Jared D. Lee. New York: Scholastic/Orchard Books.
When former planet Pluto hears the news that he has been demoted and is no longer considered a planet, he is understandably upset and ready to fly across the galaxy for an answer. Across the universe he zooms toward Earth, passing by some of his fellow planets on his hasty flight, but none of them have any idea what to tell him. After all, they are preoccupied with their own issues, such as keeping their moons in orbit. Upon arriving in the sky above an observatory, Pluto finds solace in the words of a boy who tells him that size doesn't matter; after all, Pluto is still his favorite. Blending fantasy and facts about the planets works here, especially since the text offers reasons for why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. While Pluto fits two of the three requirements for an object to be considered a planet, it doesn't fit the third requirement. Young readers will enjoy learning facts about Pluto and its three moons and noting Pluto's personality through the illustrations created by Radiograph pen and Luna dyes.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
North, Sherry. (2012). Because you are my teacher. Illus. by Marcellus Hall. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
An imaginative teacher apparently spins stories in her lessons that are so vivid that her students feel as though they are traveling across the world in various ways, including flying over a volcano in a helicopter and traveling on a schooner, on camels, and even on skis, among other modes of transportation. As the teachers' young charges tour the world in their imaginations, the text repeats the phrase "If only..." (unpaged) while also employing interesting word choices to describe the scenes. Throughout the book’s pages, the students explore some of the world’s most astounding natural spots, including Antarctica and the Grand Canyon. A loving tribute to creative teachers who are able to captivate their charges through their own words, this title refreshingly makes no mention of high-stakes test preparation or the Common Core State Standards. The watercolor illustrations feature eager expressions on the children's faces and a mouse who seems to appear wherever they travel.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
Young, Diane. (2012) Dear Flyary. Illustrated by John Martz. Kids Can Press.
One day, the author Diane Young, came up with the phrase “boink-piffle-piffle-hum-tick-tick” and that launched her idea for this book about Frazzle Pattzer, a one-eyed, four-eared alien. Frazzle has just purchased his first spaceship, a Model 7. The author has created a whole vocabulary for her creature and various terms like big heart (for love) or gladdy (for happy), Oldpop (for Grandpa) and when Frazzle gets a flyary (for diary) for his dropday (birthday) he writes all about his travels in his Model 7. As time passes, however, his spaceship is getting older and it starts to make strange noises. He takes his spaceship to Wurpitz Hoolo who is a ship-fixer and a mechanical genius. Frazzle is loyal to his beloved Model 7 and determined to get it fixed. After an entire new engine is built, even though the new Model 8s have arrived on the market Frazzle is totally gladdy to have his old friend back and in good repair. The numerous made up words could make this a challenging read aloud but also lots of fun. Cartoon like illustrations add to the humor. Read the author interview for the inside story.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
GRADES 3-6
Armstrong, Alan. (2012) Racing the moon. Illustrated by Tim Jessell. Random House.
It is 1947, World War II has just ended, and eleven-year-old Alex and her older brother Chuck have a penchant for science, especially rockets which are a fairly new concept at this time. Chuck’s interests also include gizmos like radios and radars, aviation and space and sometimes he gets himself into trouble as he pursues those interests, like climbing a radio tower to see how those radio signals are sent through the air. They even make plans to build a moon station in a tree and would like to build a rocket of their own using gunpowder. Alex discovers that her neighbor, Captain Ebbs is a military scientist and develops food for the space program and space travel. She also owns her own sailboat. As Capt. Ebbs gets to know Alex and Chuck, she recognizes their sincere interest in science but they need a bit ofhttp://bobbymercerbooks.com/insidefart.htm direction and guidance. She uses her connections to get them an introduction to German scientist Wernher von Braun, creator of the V-2 rocket, and also takes them to see a rocket launch. The actual Joan Cotton Ebbs inspired this story.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Lorenzi, Natalie Dias. (2012) Flying the Dragon. Charlesbridge.
Life suddenly changes for cousins Skye and Hiroshi, who have never met, when Grandfather’s cancer needs to be treated in the U.S. where Skye and her family live. Skye’s father is Japanese but moved to Virginia when he married her mother. Now Hiroshi and his family are coming the Virginia to be with Grandfather during his illness. The two cousins are strangers to each other neither one is happy to be thrown together resentfully causing them to give up parts of their former lives. Skye now must attend Saturday Japanese school that risks the chance of her playing on the All-Star summer soccer team. Hiroshi was a contender for his first rokkaku kite battle in Japan where Grandfather had been a champion and master kite-builder. As Grandfather’s cancer takes a turn for the worse, both of these young kids want to spend time with him and their shared love of their grandparent and interest in kites, draws the two cousins together in a natural atmosphere of caring. Though this book, by debut author Natalie Dias Lorenzi is about bringing two diverse cultures together, the love and fascination of kites is the bridge that allows them to cross into understanding. Learn more about the history and construction of the Rokkaku kites at this website.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Mercer, Bobby. (2012) The flying machine book: build and launch 35 rockets, gliders, helicopters, boomerangs and more. Chicago Review Press.
The dedication page reads, “To teachers everywhere, thanks for inspiring children every day.” Author and physics teacher Bobby Mercer’s writing career has been about making science fun and this book is all about flight and fun but in an instructional way. Through text and photographs, he gives step-by-step instructions on how to create these aerodynamic miniature flight machines. Using inexpensive and easily acquired household items, he demonstrates how to build a grape-shooting bazooka or pressure launcher made from a water bottle, ways to make Frisbees, gliders, boomerangs and more using old greeting cards, paperclips, drinking straws, and of course, duct tape. His opening chapter discusses the concepts flight of lift, thrust, drag and weight and also explains the Bernoulli principle. This book will be enjoyed by kids who like hands-one activities to try or for teachers who want those hands-on lessons. Teachers might also like to try some of the flight videos found at HowStuffWorks.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Reedy, Trent. (2012) Stealing air. Arthur A. Levine Books. (to be released Oct. 1, 2012)
Brian’s father has a new job and the family moved to Iowa where Brian is now faced with a new school and making friends, not an easy task for a sixth grade boy. He has always enjoyed skateboarding and flying his dad’s Cessna, which had to be sold for his father’s new business venture. Things go awry on the very first day of school and instead of making friends he makes an enemy of the class bully, Frankie Heller. Eventually, Brian finds Alex and Max and the three boys become friends and begin a flying adventure that could lead to real trouble as they decide to build a plane and actually fly it. This story is a bit daring on the aerial side and poignant on the human side of schools and making friends.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
GRADES 6-12
Fleming, Candace. (2011). Amelia lost: The life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart. New York: Random House.
Almost a century after her death, pilot Amelia Earhart continues to intrigue readers. This title takes readers back to the day in 1937 when Earhart and her plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during her attempt to fly around the world. The narrative shifts from the day she went missing to vignettes describing reactions from others hoping to hear a message from Earhart and then moving to biographical pieces describing her formative years filled with moves and coping with her father’s financial woes. The author describes how Earhart traded on her name and fame to finance her flights. There are several photographs included in this insightful, well-written biography.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
GRADES 9-12
Bodeen, S.A. (2012) The raft. Feiwel & Friends.
Fifteen-year-old Robie lives in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Midway atoll with her research scientist parents. However, she has been vacationing at her aunt’s home in Honolulu. When her aunt Jillian is called to the mainland, Robie needs to cut her visit short and go home. To get back to Midway, she is able to catch a ride on a cargo plane loaded with supplies for Midway, a ride she has taken many times before. This time a new co-pilot, Max, is in the cockpit. During a terrible electrical storm, the plane goes down. Before the crash Max is desperately getting a life raft ready and when Robie finds herself in the water after the crash it is Max that pulls her into the raft and saves her life. Max is seriously injured and is in and out of consciousness as the two of them begin their journey for survival in the raft. Having lived in the Pacific for many years Robie has a working knowledge of ocean life and that proves to be good and bad. She knows the dangers and the lack of fresh water becomes a daily threat. Her choices throughout the story are the crux of the plot as Max lays unconscious most of the time and the survival decisions are Robie’s alone. Bodeen has created a desperately realistic survival story that will leave readers exhausted.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Rossetti, Rinsai. (2012) The girl with borrowed wings. Dial Books.
Debut author Rinsai Rosetti has brought a powerful new dystopian novel to young adult literature. Frenenqer, whose name means “restraint”, is living on a desert oasis with her expatriate parents in the Middle East. Her father is a cruel and controlling parent and shows her no affection. Her life is confined to three boxes: the family apartment, her school, and the car that takes her there. Her isolated existence is solitary and lonely until the day she finds a large cat in a cage at the souk (marketplace), releases him and brings him home much to her father’s anger. It turns out that the cat is actually a winged shape-shifter, a Free person, who lives without rules. The shape-shifter is named Sangris and his wings can take him anywhere in the world. Now each night, Sangris takes Frenenqer into his arms and they travel the world, places where she has been in her childhood and other places that are magical. The relationship between Frenenqer and Sangris deepens and readers will begin to feel the emotional bonds developing between the two as their romance begins. This new love brings problems for her as her attitude with this newly found freedom builds toward a confrontation with her father. Frenenqer’s character development within the novel is strong and hopeful as the love story unfolds. Follow this book on Facebook.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant