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SYNOPSIS |
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Ida Mae Jones dreams
of flight. Her daddy was a pilot and being black didn’t stop him
from fulfilling his dreams. But her daddy’s gone now, and being
a woman, and being black, are two strikes against her. When America
enters the war with Germany and Japan, the Army creates the WASP,
the Women Airforce Service Pilots—and Ida suddenly sees a way to
fly as well as do something significant to help her brother stationed
in the Pacific. But even the WASP won’t accept her as a black woman,
forcing Ida Mae to make a difficult choice of “passing,” of pretending
to be white to be accepted into the program. Hiding one’s racial
heritage, denying one’s family, denying one’s self is a heavy burden.
And while Ida Mae chases her dream, she must also decide who it
is she really wants to be.
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THE
BUZZ SO FAR |
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"Flygirl
captures the indomitable spirit of the WASP. Main characters Ida Mae,
Lily and Patsy exhibit the courage mixed with daring and commitment
that still inspire WASP admirers. Congratulations, Sherri, on your
fine contribution!” |
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—Marianne
Wood, Museum Director, National
WASP WWII Museum |
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“It was hard not to find
myself cheering Ida Mae on. Hard not to get an itch to fly after reading
this. Sherri Smith is a truly talented writer and Flygirl is
a wonderful story.” |
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—Jacqueline
Woodson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Feathers and
Show Way |
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“Gifted novelist Sherri
L. Smith has written a passionate and important book about a young
woman who heroically risks everything when she discovers her dreams
and her identity are, heartbreakingly, at odds. A wonderfully readable
story that illuminates a too-little known chapter of American history.” |
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—Michael M. Cart,
Former President, YALSA, and Chair, 2007 Michael
L. Printz Award Committee |
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WHAT
THE CRITICS SAY |
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"This breakthrough
title adds a new story to the shelves of World War II books. Here,
the enemy is not just a foreign threat; it is also prejudice––of both
race and gender––here at home. In 1941, black high-school graduate
Ida Mae Jones, 18, worries about her soldier brother, who is on the
front, and longs to fight for her country, too. Her late dad taught
her to fly a crop-dusting plane, and when the U.S. starts the WASP
(Women Airforce Service Program), she is determined to join up. The
slights against women are constant, as is racial prejudice, including
the n word. Ida Mae is so light-skinned that she can pass as white,
which means leaving her family and friends and creating a new identity.
She goes through the rigorous training program, bonds with some fellow
trainees, and flies for her country. The details about navigation
are exciting, but tougher than any flight maneuver are Ida Mae’s loneliness,
shame, and fear that she will be thrown out of the military, feelings
that culminate in an unforgettable climax. Always, there is the reality
of living under Jim Crow. An afterword fills in the history of the
WASP, which notes that while records do not show that there were any
black female pilots at the time, those records do not tell the truth
about pilots like Ida Mae. " |
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— « Booklist,
starred review |
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"This well-told,
interesting story moves along at a good clip, as Smith paints a vivid
picture of the WASPs, with the suspense of Ida Mae’s deception always
lurking beneath the surface…A vibrant picture of WWII women and of
Jim Crow as it was then." |
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—Kirkus
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"Sherri L. Smith
writes with incredible detail that really brings to life the panicked
and isolated atmosphere of America during the war….this gripping and
emotional read grabs you by the heart and won't let go until the final
page." |
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—The
Bookbag |
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"This is a wonderful
book for so many different types of readers…This book isn’t an “issue”
book, but it is full of issues—issues that are handled beautifully."
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—Armchair
Interviews |
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"I had not realized
that I like historical fiction until I started reading this… I'll
describe it in four words: This book is amazing."
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—The
Book Reader |
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AWARDS
AND HONORS |
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2010 ALA Best Books for Young People |
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2010 Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children |
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2010
Cooperative Children’s
Book Center Choices Selection |
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2010 Kansas State Reading Circle Catalog Selection |
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2010 Amelia Bloomer Project Selection |
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2010 Tayshas Reading List |
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2010-2011 South Carolina Book Award Nominee |
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2009 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books |
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2009
Washington Post Best Kids’ Books of the Year |
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Spring 2009 Indie Next List Pick for Teen Readers |
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FLYGIRL was honored
to be featured on the cover of the April
15, 2009 BOOKLIST Magazine! It’s a fantastic book cover
designed by Lori Thorn, and looks pretty great as a magazine
too |
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Sherri speaks to America! In
early 2009, Sherri
was invited by the U.S. State Department to join in on their conversation
about multiculturalism in the United States. You can check
out what Sherri has to say—an read a load of other interesting
articles on America.gov,
the State Department’s online magazine. |
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