CYBILS JUNIOR/SENIOR NONFICTION: Fly Girls/Creepy and True Mummies Exposed!/Torpedoed
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From NPR correspondent Keith O’ Brien comes this thrilling Young Readers' edition of the untold story about pioneering women, including Amelia Earhart, who fought to compete against men in the high-stakes national air races of the 1920s and 1930s—and won.
In the years between World War I and World War II, airplane racing was one of the most popular sports in America. Thousands of fans flocked to multiday events, and the pilots who competed in these races were hailed as heroes. Well, the male pilots were hailed. Women who flew planes were often ridiculed by the press, and initially they weren’t invited to race. Yet a group of women were determined to take to the sky—no matter what. With guts and grit, they overcame incredible odds both on the ground and in the air to pursue their dreams of flying and racing planes.
Fly Girls follows the stories of five remarkable women: Florence Klingensmith, a high‑school dropout from North Dakota; Ruth Elder, an Alabama housewife; Amelia Earhart, the most famous, but not necessarily the most skilled; Ruth Nichols, a daughter of Wall Street wealth who longed to live a life of her own; and Louise Thaden, who got her start selling coal in Wichita. Together, they fought for the chance to race against the men—and in 1936 one of them would triumph in the toughest race of all.
Complete with photographs and a glossary, Fly Girls celebrates a little-known slice of history wherein tenacious, trail-blazing women braved all obstacles to achieve greatness.
REVIEW
Fly Girls tells parts of the story of female involvement in the early years of aviation. At a time when women were expected to be housewives or teachers or nurses, some women refused to stay in the box that society wanted to keep them in. Five women in particular are highlighted: Ruth Elder, Ruth Nichols, Amelia Earhart, Florence Klingensmith, and Louise Thaden. Each women left her mark on the aviation industry directly as well as on the women's rights movement. Each of them lived a life full of ups and downs, successes and failures, all faced severe criticism in addition to the dangers of early flight. Sometimes they faced their challenges alone and sometimes they fought together to make a place for themselves in a male-controlled industry. Highlighting some of the major events and players O'Brien shows readers how these women left their names in the record books and helped pave the way for woman in aviation. A story full of fascinating details and surprising experiences, some of them even tragic, Fly Girl does an excellent job of telling that story. An enjoyable account of some incredible women and their adventures left me admiring these women and their courage which sometimes crossed into recklessness. While I didn't agree with all the choices they made, I couldn't help but admire the courage and passion they exhibited in facing off with a world that did everything it could to hold them back.
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Just when you think that you know everything there is to know about mummies, new ones are discovered! Packed with facts but light in tone, this book introduces young readers to the most compelling examples of mummies from all over the world. There are many books about Egyptian mummies, but Mummies Exposed! goes beyond what you expect and uncovers both old favorites and recent discoveries; among them a Moche princess in Peru, the bog people of England and Ireland, and a Buddhist monk discovered within a sculpture! Featuring the most contemporary research, a touch of humor, and full-color illustrations, this exciting read is perfect for curious young minds. The book includes endnotes, bibliography, and index.
REVIEW
Mummies Exposed! shares with readers the discovery of a number of mummies from around the world. For each discovery, the author tells the story of the people involved in finding the mummy or mummies, where they were found, as well as documenting the way the scientists tried to figure out who each mummy used to be and how they came to be where they were. I found each account well-written and beautifully told. The gorgeous design of the book with lots of well-chosen photographs makes it a great book for young adults fascinated with mummies or archaeology in general. Admittedly, the mummies aren't pretty and in some cases are pretty repulsive, but they are also fascinating in what they have told us about different times and places. I especially appreciated the author's efforts to explain that questions are still being asked about each mummy and there may yet be much to discover from each body. She also points out the ethical dilemma inherent in digging up people's remains. Overall, a fascinatingly told and well put-together book about a popular topic.
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From award-winning author Deborah Heiligman comes Torpedoed, a true account of the attack and sinking of the passenger ship SS City of Benares, which was evacuating children from England during WWII.
Amid the constant rain of German bombs and the escalating violence of World War II, British parents by the thousands chose to send their children out of the country: the wealthy, independently; the poor, through a government relocation program called CORB. In September 1940, passenger liner SS City of Benares set sail for Canada with one hundred children on board.
When the war ships escorting the Benares departed, a German submarine torpedoed what became known as the Children's Ship. Out of tragedy, ordinary people became heroes. This is their story.
REVIEW
Deborah Heiligman has a way with words, that is for sure. This book is probably my favorite of all the books I've read this year. The way Heiligman makes the story so immediate, it almost felt like I was there. She takes the story of a hundred children and makes it feel so real. I had a hard time putting it down I found it so compelling. The way she integrated the story of the ship in general with the stories of some of the individuals involved was brilliant to my way of thinking. If all historical stories were told like this, there wouldn't be so many people who think history is boring. As I made my way through the story, I couldn't help but root for each of the children whose stories are included, even though I knew going in that the story wouldn't have a happy ending for many of them. I also appreciated Heiligman's efforts to tell the stories of the Indian lascars who worked on the ship, alas you can't tell a story that was never recorded in the first place. The stories of a variety of different people were included from the captain who wanted to drive his ship faster in order to out distance possible pursuit but was overruled, to passengers in upper class accommodations, to crew members, to the children down below who were being sent away to avoid the ongoing bombing. Heiligman manages to combine all their stories into one compelling account of a tragedy that almost breaks your heart to read.
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