Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America

Born to Fly chronicles the 1929 Women's Air Derby, the first cross-country air race for female pilots in America. The book follows several competitors including Amelia Earhart, Marvel Crosson, Louise Thaden, and other aviation pioneers as they prepare for and undertake this historic competition. The narrative covers the early days of aviation, including the technical challenges of flying primitive aircraft and the social barriers female pilots faced in the 1920s. Through research and first-hand accounts, Sheinkin reconstructs the atmosphere of the era and details the specific obstacles these women encountered during their training and racing careers. The race itself forms the core of the story, following the pilots' journey from California to Ohio as they navigate weather, mechanical issues, and public scrutiny. The book includes period photographs, newspaper clippings, and maps that help bring the historical events to life. This middle-grade nonfiction work explores themes of perseverance and breaking gender barriers while documenting a pivotal moment in both aviation and women's history.

Readers value the detailed research and engaging narrative style that brings these female pilots' stories to life. Many note how the book balances technical aviation details with personal stories of the racers. Parents and teachers highlight its appeal to both aviation enthusiasts and readers interested in women's history. Readers appreciate the inclusion of period photographs, maps, and newspaper clippings. Multiple reviewers mention the book works well as a read-aloud for families and classrooms. Some readers found the large cast of characters hard to track, wishing for a reference guide of the pilots. A few noted the pacing slows in the middle sections. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (140+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 (parents), 4/5 (kids) "Perfect blend of history and adventure" - School Library Journal "Made me feel like I was right there in the cockpit" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have used fewer characters to follow" - Amazon reviewer

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✈️ When Louise Thaden won the 1929 Women's Air Derby, she had a case of food poisoning and flew with a broken rudder control on her plane. 🌟 Amelia Earhart, though the most famous participant, didn't win the race - she placed third. She later became an advocate for the other female pilots, helping them gain recognition. 🛩️ The racers faced intense sabotage attempts during the competition, including sugar in gas tanks and intentionally damaged equipment, highlighting the strong opposition to women in aviation. ⚡ The race earned the nickname "Powder Puff Derby" from Will Rogers, though many of the female pilots disliked the diminutive term. 🏆 The Women's Air Derby was the first official women's air race in history and covered over 2,700 miles from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland, Ohio in nine days.