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Flight

Our collection of books about flight are intentionally very wide ranging, although, you may notice that we do feature quite a number of books about Orville and Wilbur Wright. Since this list was compiled in the same year as the centennial celebration of the Wrights' historic flight, we wanted to satisfy what we foresee as increased interest in this aviation duo. But, since this is a thematic look at flight, we also wanted to branch out and provide you with titles that are flight related, but don't necessarily have ties to Kitty Hawk. The books are divided into various categories, although there are many books which actually could cross over into several different categories. We'll let you decide where they best meet your needs. For flight websites that can be used along with the books go to http://www.umbc.edu/books/tech/flight.html.

The Wright Brothers

Into the Air: The Story of the Wright Brothers' First Flight by Robert Burleigh (Harcourt, Inc., 2002)

This story of the Wright Brothers' first flight is presented in a graphic format (cartoon/comics) that may appeal to some of your reluctant readers.

My Brothers' Flying Machine by Jane Yolen (Little, Brown & Co., 2003)

This look at the Wright Brothers is written in free verse with sister, Katharine, narrating the story.

One Fine Day by Elizabeth Van Steenwyck (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2003)

This book about the Wright Brothers and their December 17, 1903 flight is written in the form of a radio play and illustrated with oil paintings that have a historic look to them.

To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers by Wendie Old (Clarion Books, 2002)

The Wright Brothers dreamed of flying long before the Flyer stayed airborne for a little under one minute. This is the story of two young boys who dreamed of "what it would be like to swoop through the sky" and how those dreams became reality.

(The) Wright Brothers: The Birth of Modern Aviation by Anna Sproule (Blackbirch Press, 1999)

This inviting look at the Wright Brothers is noteworthy for its attempts to examine the science that made their first flight possible.

(The) Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman (Holiday House, 1991)

Reviewers describe this not-to-miss book as masterful, engrossing, splendid, fascinating, and appealing. If you can only read one book about the Wright Brothers, choose this one.

(The) Wright Sister: Katharine Wright and Her Famous Brothers by Richard Maurer (Roaring Brook Press, 2003)

This thoughtful and thorough biography is a look at the less well-known sister of Orville and Wilbur and her role in their historic flight.

Disasters in Flight

(The) Apollo 1 and Challenger Disasters by Gina DeAngelis (Chelsea House, 2000)

This book places these two disasters in their historical contexts and shares some of their after-effects. A chronology, bibliography, resources for further reading, and website connections are included for those who want to know more.

Disasters in Space Exploration by Gregory L. Vogt (Millbrook Press, 2001)

"Ask any astronaut or cosmonaut. He will tell you that traveling through space is the most exciting, thrilling, and fun thing that he has ever done. Ask any astronaut or cosmonaut. She will tell you that traveling through space is the most dangerous thing that she has ever done." Although this book focuses on some of the space disasters, the author ends by writing that we can't forget about the successes, of which there are many.

(The) Explosion of TWA Flight 800 by Belinda Friedrich (Chelsea House, 2001)

This look at the explosion of TWA Flight 800 examines the many mysteries surrounding this disaster and the questions that remain unanswered.

(The) Hindenburg by Patrick O'Brien (Henry Holt and Company, 2000)

"People loved the gigantic ship. Cities erupted in cheers when it flew overhead…But on May 6, 1937, at the end of the first flight of the new flying season, something went terribly wrong." Read what led to this famous flight that mysteriously ended in tragedy.

(The) Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster by Suzanne Lieurance (Enslow Publishers, 2001)

Photographs and NASA source documents are strengths of this book's look at the space shuttle flight that ended in disaster.

Careers in Flight

Astronauts: Training for Space by Michael D. Cole (Enslow Publishers, 1999)

Information about preparing for a career in space exploration is plentiful in this book which looks at what it takes to become an astronaut.

Cool Careers for Girls in Air and Space by Ceel Pasternak & Linda Thornburg (Impact Publications, 2001)

Air and space were once male domains, but as the stories in this book prove, that is all in the past. Readers not only learn about the variety of jobs in the field, they will also find out what it takes to pursue a career as an astrophysicist, an aerospace engineer, an astronaut, and others.

I Want to Be an Astronaut by Stephanie Maze and Catherine O'Neill Grace (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1997)

"Can you picture yourself in a space suit? Do you dream about traveling in space or going to other planets?" If so, you might want to begin with this colorful, well-illustrated look at various experiences of those who became astronauts.

The History of Flight and Flight Pioneers

Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic Press, 1999)

This fictionalized story is based on a true story of what happened when friends Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt got together for dinner and ended up taking a flight over Washington, D.C.

Brave Harriet: The First Woman to Fly the English Channel by Marissa Moss (Harcourt, 2001)

This book is a pleasing and inviting tale of Harriet Quimby, the first woman to fly the English Channel.

Feathers, Flaps & Flops: Fabulous Early Fliers by Bo Zaunders (Dutton/Penguin, 2001)

This pleasant, often humorous, look at the early history of flight is informative, colorfully illustrated, and thoroughly entertaining.

Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2000)

All of her life Bessie Coleman wanted to be somebody. Coleman, who dreamed of flying, became the first African-American to earn a pilot's license.

(The) Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot by Alice Provensen (Viking, 1983)

This book chronicles the successes and failures of Louis Bleriot as he attempted to build an airplane that flied. The illustrations in this Caldecott winning book are exceptional!

Jenny: The Airplane that Taught America To Fly by David Weitzman (Roaring Brook Press, 2002)

The official name of the airplane was JN4-D, but most people called it Jenny. The Jenny is introduced through the story a grandmother shares with her grandchildren about her mother, one of the first American women to have a pilot's license.

Sky Pioneer by Corinne Szabo (National Geographic Society, 1997)

Photographs and quotations are woven throughout this biography of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.

(The) Story of Flight: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum by Judith E. Rinard (Firefly Books, 2002)

Although the text is informative and well-written, it is the photographs, many archival, which steal the show in this story of flight.

Tiny Broadwick: The First Lady of Parachuting by Elizabeth Whitley Roberson (Pelican Publishing, 2001)

Dangers and obstacles were a daily reality for four-foot tall Tiny Broadwick, the first woman parachutist.

Tomboy of the Air: Daredevil Pilot Blanche Stuart Scott by Julie Cummins (HarperCollins, 2001)

This biography of aviation groundbreaker Blanche Stuart Scott is well-researched and features archival photographs that complement the story.

Wings and Rockets: The Story of Women in Air and Space by Jeannine Atkins (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003)

This offering from Jeannine Atkins tells the story of well-known Amelia Earhart and also introduces readers to women in air and space who may not be as familiar, such as Eileen Collins, the first woman commander of a spacecraft.

The Space Race

Footprints on the Moon by Alexandra Siy (Charlesbridge, 2001)

We all have heard the famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." But are we as equally knowledgeable about what led to that historic moment when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Moon? This book might help to fill some of the gaps.

Moon Landing: The Race for the Moon by Carole Stott (DK Publishing, 1999)

With its many sidebars, diagrams, charts, and information highlights, readers can easily move from one particular area of interest to another.

(The) Space Race by Nathan Aaseng (Lucent Books, 2002)

"One of the supreme ironies of modern history is that the quest to conquer outer space began with these two men, one Russian [Tsiolkovsky] and one American [Goddard], toiling in isolation…Not until the middle of the twentieth century did their respective nations, at almost the same moment, recognize the value of what Tsiolkovsky and Goddard were doing. With the explosiveness of a rocket launch, both nations rose from indifference to a passionate desire to achieve superiority in space." The race was on.

Birds and Other "Flying Machines"

Bird Watch by Jane Yolen (Penguin, 1990)

This celebration of birds is told through poetry and highlighted with Ted Lewin's gorgeously realistic paintings.

Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines by Caroline Arnold (Charlesbridge, 2003)

The mechanics of bird flight are introduced in this informative look at how different types of birds are able to achieve flight.

Catch the Wind!: All About Kites by Gail Gibbons (Little, Brown and Company, 1989)

Readers accompany Katie and Sam as they visit Ike's Kite Shop where they learn about the various kinds of kites and how to fly them.

Project UltraSwan by Elinor Osborn (Houghton Mifflin, 2002)

Follow the efforts of scientists as they perform the role of parents to trumpeter swans who must learn the migration routes to reach their winter home.

Simple Space & Flight Experiments with Everyday Materials by Louis V. Loeschnig (Sterling Publishing Co., 1999)

This book states that its purpose is "to give future astronauts and light and space scientists food for thought. Here is a chance to experiment, question, think, and dream."

Airplanes

Air Show by Anastasia Suen (Henry Holt and Company, 2001)

Eagles, Hawks, Hornets, and Dragonflies take flight. But they aren't flying creatures, instead they are just some of the historic airplanes that can be seen at this air show.

Airplanes by Arlene Bourgeois Molzahn (Enslow Publishers, 2003)

While this book can't be seen as a comprehensive look at airplanes, it does touch on many different airplane related topics which could lead to further reading and investigation by young readers. The book briefly touches on Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, different types of airplanes, the history of flight, airports, and careers in flight.

Flying and Gliding by Terry Jennings (Raintree-Steck Vaughn, 1996)

This introductory look at flying and gliding includes simple experiments that mimic the movements of some of the flying machines that are featured in the book.

Plane Song by Diane Siebert (HarperCollins, 1993)

Rhythmic text introduces different kinds of planes and some of the activities that those planes engage in.

Planes by Michael Johnstone (Dorling Kindersley, 1994)

Detailed cross-sections provide an inside look at ten different types of aircraft. A Spitfire, Triplane, and the Concorde are among those featured.