Smiths flygirl is a gem of a novel, taking place during the middle of world war ii where a young woman enlists as a pilot in the army. Smith s posts on the penguin blog ida mae jones dreams of flight. Jane kivik free download or read online flygirl pdf epub book. Her father, who passed away when ida was 16, taught her to fly. I find that this book is more for girls, because most of all the characters are female.
Jacqueline woodson, newbery honorwinning author of feathers and show way flygirl captures the indomitable spirit of the wasp. Sherri s first book, lucy the giant, was an american library association best. The book has been awarded with california book award gold medal for young adult 2009, edgar awards and many others. Ida mae jones is a true flygirl in this engaging historical fiction read for teens that examines issues of race, comingofage, and learning to fly. Of course, smith s flygirl is not shuttling passengers around on vacations. Smith s work, ever since i saw the synopsis for flygirl ana beat me to the punch. Smith has written a passionate and important book about a young woman who heroically risks everything when she.
Flygirl book columbus metropolitan library bibliocommons. Its about the awarding of congressional gold medals to the women airforce service pilots wasp, who provided the united states army with their valuable flying skills during world war ii, in order to free up male pilots to serve in the war. Driven by a desire to fly and wanting to help her enlisted brother, ida mae decides to pass as white so she can join the program. She was still an african american and a female thats two strikes. One doesnt have the same luxury with an airplane, as we see all too vividly in flygirl, sherri l. Smith ida mae jones is a true flygirl in this engaging historical fiction read for teens that examines issues of race, comingofage, and learning to fly. Sherri smith is a truly talented writer and flygirl is a wonderful story. Ida and her good friend jolene are cleaning the wilson house. She wants to fly more than anything, but ida soon learns that denying ones self and. Flygirl book pleasanton public library bibliocommons. Flygirl, by sherri l smith, chapter one audiobook youtube. Her daddy was a pilot and being black didnt stop him from fulfilling his dreams. It highlights a big event but from a different angle and it was done spectacularly.
Smith, when i told some friends i was reading your ya novel, flygirl, and what it was about, one of them directed me to this article at the new york times. Smith s take on the segregation and racial discrimination issue using fictional characters was amazing. Jan 22, 2009 the main characters of flygirl novel are john, emma. Flygirl is about a teenage negro girl living in louisiana and her desire to help in the war effort during wwii. Smiths 2008 work of historical fiction, flygirl, takes place in the.
Like if youre colored, you get the short end of the stick. The novel begins in december 1941 and is told from the perspective ida mae jones, a young black woman and recent high school graduate, who lives with her mother, grandfather, and two brothers in the town of slidell, louisiana. Smith lucy the giant brings a gripping perspective to bear upon a lesserknown piece of americas past. However, in doing so, she not only faces the dangers that await her in the sky, but an everyday danger as she hides her racial identity in order to make her dreams happen. In her familys past, a halfcolored girl was steered down a path that. Flygirl has 3 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Its about a lightskinned black girl who passes for white in order to become a wasp and serve her country. Sherris first book, lucy the giant, was an american library association best book for young adults in 2003. Jan 01, 2009 during world war ii, a semimilitary unit of women pilots, the wasps, fought for their chance to serve their country. Lucy the giant orleans sparrow hot, sour, salty, sweet. Her daddy had taught her to fly and because of her light. A major theme in the book flygirl by sherri smith, is family. This welltold, interesting story moves along at a good clip, as smith paints a vivid picture of the wasps. She is a member of the two trees writers collaborative.
Chapter 1 summary flygirl is told from the point of view of ida mae jones, a young black woman who lives on a berry farm in slidell, louisiana,with her mother, her brothers, thomas and abel, and her grandfather, whom she calls grandy. At eighteen years of age, all ida mae longs to do is fly, like her daddy taught her. Flygirl book by sherri l smith 3 available editions half. I would recommend this book to girls who want to know more about wwii.
Although she has the skill, the white man in charge refused to issue a pilots license to her. Since this book is set in the 1940s segregation was going on. That proves no obstacle for pilot ida mae jones, who is lightskinned enough to pass for white, although she risks her life if shes caught and may even risk her eventual return to her family. Smiths 2008 work of historical fiction, flygirl, takes place in the united states during world war ii. She is writing novels for young adults, including flygirl, sparrow, orleans, and lucy the giant. During world war ii, a lightskinned african american girl passes for white in order to join the women airforce service pilots. May 21, 2010 getting a book published isnt a new experience for sherri l. Ida mae grew up flying planes with her father, and after he died, she took over his crop dusting. The book fly girl is a great book about what girls could do during wwii. But as a young black woman in 1940s louisiana, she knows the sky is off limits to her, until america enters world war ii, and the army forms the waspwomen airforce service pilots. Why are female flyers like bessie coleman, amelia earhart, jackie. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in hardcover format. Her daddy was a pilot and being black didnt stop him from fulfilling his.
Her daddy had taught her to fly and because of her light colored skin, shes able to pass as white and join the newly formed wasp program of the us army. Flygirl book multnomah county library bibliocommons. I would recommend this book to girls who want to know more about wwii but re not a fan of all the gruesomeness of the war. But as a young black woman in 1940s louisiana, she knows the sky is off limits to her, until. But her daddys gone now, and being a woman, and being black, are two strikes against her. All through the book, ida struggles, yet because of her good friends support, she knows she can do it.
Ida mae main character lost her dad a while back, her connection to him still feels strongest when she is in the sky. Flygirl book by sherri l smith 3 available editions. Apr 01, 2021 in striving to enrich the lives of all readers, teachingbooks supports the first amendment and celebrates the right to read. It didnt even matter that ida mae was light skin either. Smith s highflying tale of a young, lightskinned, southern woman of color who passes for white during world war ii so that she can compete for a position flying in the women airforce service pilots wasp program. Jacqueline woodson, national book awardwinning author related articles looking for more great reads. Ida has a chance to fulfill her dream if shes willing to use her light. Fly girl in this thrilling, high flying book, called fly girl, you will see bravery, courage and overall the willpower of women from around the. Free flygirl study unit worksheets for teachers to print. The first edition of the novel was published in january 22nd 2009, and was written by sherri l. Teenager ida mae jones was taught to fly by her daddy on his crop duster. The dutch translation, lucy xxl gottmer, 2005, was awarded an honorable mention at the. Ages 1418 ida mae jones, aka jonesy, is 18, african american, and a wannabe pilot.
Sherri s first book, lucy the giant, was an american library association best book for young adults in 2003. This welltold, interesting story moves along at a good clip, as smith paints a. Sherri teaches at goddard college and hamline university. Smiths posts on the penguin blog ida mae jones dreams of flight. Photos what ever the future may bring, i still get to fly. Her daddy was a pilot, and years after his death she feels closest to him when shes in the air. The detailsare exciting, but tougher than any flight maneuver are ida. Her daddy was a pilot, and years after his death she feels closest to him when sheos in the air. Discussion guide it takes great strength to soar above it all and. Comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities and projects, tests, and much more. Smith was born in chicago, illinois and spent most of her childhood reading books.
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