Flying Higher: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War 11
Grade 6-10-Although they didn't see combat in World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots belong to an interesting and important chapter in the history of women in the military and in aviation. Led, organized, and inspired by strong, resourceful individuals like Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Harkness Love, the WASPs trained hard, worked hard, and did it all with style. Flying Higher chronicles the formation of their training program, and follows one class of trainees. It includes lots of detail about the aircraft and the women, especially the challenges that they faced with bravery and humor. This is a riveting and highly readable history in which Langley balances technical information and personal stories, making for a satisfying narrative. The story of the WASPs is subtly placed into the context of America's involvement in World War II, and the role of women at the time. Black-and-white archival photographs and pertinent quotes appear throughout. Amy Nathan's Yankee Doodle Gals (National Geographic, 2001) takes a slightly different point of view and has terrific photographs. Overall, Flying Higher is a good choice for reports and personal-interest reading.Laura Reed, Pickering Public Library, Ontario, CanadaCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.