The Wright Brothers

Grade 3-6-Another serviceable biography makes its appearance in time for the Wright centennial. This solid, if somewhat stodgy offering, with its up-front definition of primary and secondary sources, is useful for young researchers. Because the Wrights left so much behind in the form of letters, notes, and interviews, Sullivan, like other biographers, had much material to draw from. He methodically tells the story of these famous brothers in simple, straightforward language. Although he is all business, nice descriptive touches sneak in like this reference to Kitty Hawk: "Winter was now close at hand. Each morning the water in the washbasin was frozen." The text is liberally sprinkled with appropriate photographs and on every five or six pages a slight margin of handwriting appears-a reminder of the reliance on primary sources. A listing of museums that provide booklets and packets of information is appended. A good choice for reports, this book's traditional style makes it a plus for readers who could be distracted by too much glitz.
Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
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