Flygirl
Publisher: G.P. Putnam and Sons
Publication Date: January 22, 2009
Genre: Young Adult, Historical
Hardcover: 275 pages
Paperback: 304 pages
E-book: 306 pages
Ida Mae Jones dreams of flight. Her daddy was a pilot and being black didn’t stop him from fulfilling his dreams. But her daddy’s gone now, and being a woman, and being black, are two strikes against her. When America enters the war with Germany and Japan, the Army creates the WASP, the Women Airforce Service Pilots—and Ida suddenly sees a way to fly as well as do something significant to help her brother stationed in the Pacific. But even the WASP won’t accept her as a black woman, forcing Ida Mae to make a difficult choice of “passing,” of pretending to be white to be accepted into the program. Hiding one’s racial heritage, denying one’s family, denying one’s self is a heavy burden. And while Ida Mae chases her dream, she must also decide who it is she really wants to be.
“It’s Sunday afternoon and the phonograph player is jumping like a clown in a parade the way Jolene and I are dancing.”
PRAISE FOR FLYGIRL:
“It was hard not to find myself cheering Ida Mae on. Hard not to get an itch to fly after reading this. Sherri Smith is a truly talented writer and Flygirl is a wonderful story.”
—Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Feathers and Show Way
“Flygirl captures the indomitable spirit of the WASP. Main characters Ida Mae, Lily and Patsy exhibit the courage mixed with daring and commitment that still inspire WASP admirers. Congratulations, Sherri, on your fine contribution!”
—Marianne Wood, Museum Director, National WASP WWII Museum
“Gifted novelist Sherri L. Smith has written a passionate and important book about a young woman who heroically risks everything when she discovers her dreams and her identity are, heartbreakingly, at odds. A wonderfully readable story that illuminates a too-little known chapter of American history.”
—Michael M. Cart, Former President, YALSA, and Chair, 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Committee
“This breakthrough title adds a new story to the shelves of World War II books.”
— Booklist, starred review
“This well-told, interesting story moves along at a good clip, as Smith paints a vivid picture of the WASPs, with the suspense of Ida Mae’s deception always lurking beneath the surface…A vibrant picture of WWII women and of Jim Crow as it was then.”
—Kirkus Review
“…this gripping and emotional read grabs you by the heart and won’t let go until the final page.”
—The Bookbag
“This is a wonderful book for so many different types of readers…This book isn’t an “issue” book, but it is full of issues—issues that are handled beautifully.”
—Armchair Interviews
“I had not realized that I like historical fiction until I started reading this… I’ll describe it in four words: This book is amazing.”
—The Book Reader
AWARDS AND HONORS FOR FLYGIRL:
2014 ALA Popular Paperback Selection in the category of Conflicted: Life During Wartime
2012-13 Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award in the Division II (Grades 6-8) category
2012-2013 Virginia Readers’ Choice Award
79th California Book Awards Young Adult Gold Medal
2012 Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee
2011-2012 Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Nominee
2012 Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee
2011-2012 Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award Nominee
2011 Utah Beehive Award Nominee
2010 ALA Best Books for Young People
2010 Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children
2010 Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices Selection
2010 Kansas State Reading Circle Catalog Selection
2010 Amelia Bloomer Project Selection
2010 Tayshas Reading List
2010-2011 South Carolina Book Award Nominee
2009 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
2009 Washington Post Best Kids’ Books of the Year
Spring 2009 Indie Next List Pick for Teen Readers