Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine - Hardcover

Lang, Heather

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1620916509 ISBN 13: 9781620916506

Publisher: Calkins Creek, 2016

Synopsis

Discover a thrilling moment in history when pioneering aviator Ruth Law attempted to do what no other aviator had done before: fly nonstop from Chicago to New York.

On November 19, 1916, at 8:25 a.m., Ruth Law took off on a flight from Chicago to New York City that aviation experts thought was doomed. Sitting at the controls of her small bi-plane, exposed to the elements, Law battled fierce winds and numbing cold. When her engine ran out of fuel, she glided for two miles and landed at Hornell, New York. Even though she fell short of her goal, she had broken the existing cross-country distance record. And with her plane refueled, she got back in the air and headed for New York City where crowds waited to greet her. This story is perfect to share during Women's History Month or anytime during the year!

About this title

About the Author

Heather Lang loves to research and write about real women who overcame extraordinary obstacles and never gave up on their dreams. Her picture book biographies include, Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark, Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine, The Original Cowgirl: The Wild Adventures of Lucille Mulhall,and Queen of the Track: Alice Coachman, Olympic High-Jump Champion. Heather also writes web articles for the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. When she is not writing, she loves to go on adventures with her husband and four children. Visit Heather at heatherlangbooks.com.

Reviews

Gr 1–3—A decade before Amelia Earhart entered the public's consciousness, Ruth Law (1887–1970) was performing stunts at aerial shows. By 1916, she "longed to fly to get somewhere…somewhere far away." Emphasizing Law's competitive and risk-taking nature, Lang builds suspense with comparisons and questions. Victor Carlstrom had recently set the record for the longest nonstop American flight (Chicago to Erie, PA) in a much larger machine than Law's Curtiss biplane. Would the young aviator have enough fuel capacity to accomplish her goal: flying from Chicago to New York City? Children will be awestruck at the image of the vulnerable pilot, with no cockpit protection from the wind and low temperatures, steering with her hands and feet, and navigating with a compass and a map box strapped to her legs. Law set a record in the face of so many unknowns—though she was forced to stop in Binghamton, NY, before making it to New York City. Quotes, distinguished by a colorful, cursive font and cited in source notes, add vitality and inspiration. Back matter includes photographs and further biographical details. Colón's harmonious palette is comprised, appropriately, of blues, yellows, and greens; his signature etched lines provide additional energy. He maintains interest by shifting perspectives and changing the color of the light. VERDICT A worthy successor to Don Brown's out of print Ruth Law Thrills a Nation (HMH, 1993), this title underscores the pilot's achievement and conveys her exhilaration.—Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

Edition details

• Publisher: Calkins Creek
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1620916509
• ISBN 13: 9781620916506
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Colón Raul
• Number of pages: 40