Flygirl

By Sherri L. Smith
(Putnam Juvenile, Hardcover, 9780399247095, 256pp.)

Publication Date: January 2009

Categories: Historical - Military & Wars, Historical - United States - 20th Century

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Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Spring '09 Kids List
“Sherri Smith tells the riveting story of Ida Mae Jones, a young light-skinned black woman who decides to try and pass as white so she can enter the Army during WWII and fulfill her dream of becoming a pilot. Ida Mae's crisis of identity and her battle with her conscience will change the way you look at the world. A triumph!”
-- Melissa Posten, Children's Book World, Haverford, PA


Description

Ida Mae Jones dreams of fl ight. 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's Airforce Service Pilots--and Ida suddenly sees a way to fl y as well as do something signifi cant 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.




About the Author

Sherri L. Smith is the author of Lucy the Giant, Sparrow, and Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet. She lives in Sherman Oaks, California.

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