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


Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Published: 09/24/2019
ISBN: 9781626721302
Pages: 288
Weight: 1.28lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 1.00d

Review Citations: 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

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