Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780689824579)

Besse Coleman was born in rural Texas in 1892. She loved school, especially learning about numbers, and she was a good reader, too. Yet when it was time to pick cotton she had to work in the fields instead of going to school. Nevertheless, she was determined to be somebody when she grew up.
In her early twenties, Bessie moved to Chicago. Perhaps there she could "find a bigger life." In the city, Bessie heard many tales of World War I from returned veterans. She also heard there were woman airplane pilots in France. From then on, she was determined to become a pilot. But she soon found out that no one would teach a woman -- especially a woman with dark skin -- how to fly. To study in France was her only chance, and by working hard and saving her money, she managed at last to get there. Bessie Coleman became the first African-American to earn a pilot's license. She was somebody.
The inspiring story of her difficult early years, her success as a stunt pilot putting on daring air shows in many states, and her dedication to telling young African-Americans wherever she went, "You can be somebody. You can fly high just like me," is as moving and important today as it was then. Simply told with evocative full-color illustrations, this is a special book for today's young people.

Author: Louise Borden, Mary Kay Kroeger
ISBN-10: 0689824572
ISBN-13: 9780689824579
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Language: English
Published: 01/01/2001
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.25h x 8.22w x 0.38d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.5
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 46137 / Fly High! the Story of Bessie Coleman

Award: Bluebonnet Awards - Nominee

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/04/2000 pg. 73
Kirkus Review - Children 01/01/2001 pg. 50
School Library Journal 01/01/2001 pg. 114
Booklist 02/15/2001 pg. 1152
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2001 pg. 410 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2001 pg. 410 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
School Library Journal 11/01/2002