Fly Girls Young Readers' Edition

From NPR correspondent Keith O’ Brien comes this thrilling Young Readers' edition of the untold story about pioneering women, including Amelia Earhart, who fought to compete against men in the high-stakes national air races of the 1920s and 1930s—and won.

In the years between World War I and World War II, airplane racing was one of the most popular sports in America. Thousands of fans flocked to multiday events, and the pilots who competed in these races were hailed as heroes. Well, the male pilots were hailed. Women who flew planes were often ridiculed by the press, and initially they weren’t invited to race. Yet a group of women were determined to take to the sky—no matter what. With guts and grit, they overcame incredible odds both on the ground and in the air to pursue their dreams of flying and racing planes.

Fly Girls follows the stories of five remarkable women: Florence Klingensmith, a high-school dropout from North Dakota; Ruth Elder, an Alabama housewife; Amelia Earhart, the most famous, but not necessarily the most skilled; Ruth Nichols, a daughter of Wall Street wealth who longed to live a life of her own; and Louise Thaden, who got her start selling coal in Wichita. Together, they fought for the chance to race against the men—and in 1936 one of them would triumph in the toughest race of all.

Complete with photographs and a glossary, Fly Girls celebrates a little-known slice of history wherein tenacious, trail-blazing women braved all obstacles to achieve greatness.

This riveting work of nonfiction for kids brings a forgotten chapter of the 1920s and 1930s to life, featuring:

• Five Daring Women: Meet the aviators at the heart of the story—Florence Klingensmith, Ruth Elder, Amelia Earhart, Ruth Nichols, and Louise Thaden—each with a unique dream of taking to the skies.
• High-Stakes Air Racing: Experience the danger and excitement of the National Air Races, the golden-age spectacle that captivated America when flying was new, thrilling, and often deadly.
• Overcoming the Odds: Discover how these determined pilots faced ridicule from the press and fought for the right to compete in a sport dominated by men.
• An Inspiring True Story: Perfect for young readers, this fast-paced narrative brings history to life with historical photographs and a glossary, celebrating the courage to pursue a dream.