SHERRI L. SMITH AND ELIZABETH WEIN DISCUSS AMERICAN WINGS: CHICAGO'S PIONEERING BLACK AVIATORS AND THE RACE FOR EQUALITY IN THE SKY

From the acclaimed author of Flygirl and the bestselling author of Code Name Verity comes the thrilling and inspiring true story of the desegregation of the skies.

In the years between World War I and World War II, aviation fever was everywhere, including among Black Americans. But what hope did a Black person have of learning to fly in a country constricted by prejudice and Jim Crow laws, where some previous Black aviators like Bessie

Coleman had to move to France to earn their wings?

American Wings follows a group of determined Black Americans: Cornelius Coffey and Johnny Robinson, skilled auto mechanics; Janet Harmon Bragg, a nurse; and Willa Brown, a teacher and social worker. Together, they created a flying club and built their own airfield on Chicago's South Side. As the U.S. hurtled toward World War II, they established a school to train new pilots, teaching both Black and white students together and proving, in a time when the U.S. military was still segregated, that successful integration was possible.

Complete with black-and-white photographs throughout, American Wings brings to light a hidden history of pioneering Black men and women who, with grit and resilience, battled powerful odds for an equal share of the sky. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons for Young Readers)

Join Sherri for a raucous round of Story Improv at the Henderson Reads Book Festival, “A stupendous literary showcase featuring award-winning and notable picture book, middle grade and young adult authors. Authors will present their selected books in addition to a book signing session. See below more author details. So many children's authors all in one place!  This is not to be missed!

Live readings and discussions

• Book signings

• Interactive activities

  • Where's Waldo?

  • Face Painting

• And MUCH More!”

Sherri L. Smith will spend an evening in conversation about her book, FLYGIRL, the 2022 Howard County Read. FLYGIRL tells the story of a light-skinned African American woman who passes for white in order to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. FLYGIRL is the winner of the California Book Awards gold medal, and was selected as a Best Book for Young People by the American Library Association. Book signing to follow.

Tickets are free to the public.

“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.”

—Kirkus Review

What better way to celebrate than with the launch of Christine Heppermann's new novel in verse What Goes Up! Joining Christine with their fantastic new novels will be authors Laura Ruby, Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All - a National Book Award Finalist; Sherri L. Smith, The Blossom and the Firefly and Brandy Colbert, The Voting Booth.

With Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty and Ask Me How I Got Here, Christine Heppermann established herself as a vital voice in thought-provoking and powerful feminist writing for teens. Her poetry is surprising, wry, emotional, and searing. What Goes Up is by turns a scorchingly funny and deeply emotional story that asks whether it’s possible to support and love someone despite the risk of being hurt. Readers will find a complicated heroine they won’t soon forget.

From Laura Ruby, author of Printz Medal winner Bone Gap comes Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All the unforgettable story of two young women—one living, one dead—dealing with loss, desire, and the fragility of the American dream during WWII.

Also set in WWII, from the award-winning author of Flygirl Sherri L. Smith, The Blossom and the Firefly is a powerful romance between two Japanese teens caught in the cogs of an unwinnable war, perfect for fans of Salt to the Sea, Lovely War, and Code Name,Verity.

In Brandy Colbert's The Voting Booth Marva Sheridan was born ready to make a difference in the world, and what better way than to vote in her first election? When Marva sees Duke turned away from their polling place, she takes it upon herself to make sure his vote is counted. She hasn't spent months doorbelling and registering voters just to see someone denied their right!

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Join Sherri and Julie as they discuss Sherri’s World War II love story, The Blossom and the FIrefly, and Julie’s World War I romance, Lovely War.

Join Sherri at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena for a reading from her newest novel, The Blossom and the Firefly. The evening will include a reading and discussion of the novel, as well as a special performance of koto and violin featuring music from the book.