Those who are interested in the subject matter covered in this book may also enjoy A Wasp Among Eagles: A Woman Military Test Pilot in World War II by Ann Carl.
Excellent read. A novel written about women training to be pilots to fly domestically while the men were away fighting World War II.
Donna V.
Donna V.
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Byrd's father loved flying and spreading the joy of flying. When he died in a flying accident, Byrd's mother refused to talk about airplanes or even let her daughter near one. Byrd disobeyed, and found herself when she flew. Soon she obtained a pilot's license and gave lessons.
During WWII, she heard about a special school for women pilots to aid the war effort. She immediately took the entrance exam, never dreaming that she'd be accepted.
Byrd leaves small town life and travels across the country by train to attend WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) training school. Here, the girls sleep on cots, share a bathroom with twelve other women, perform calisthenics, and enjoy excellent food during a time where rationing food swept the nation.
Then the real day begins when they attend flying lessons with men who want them to fail.
Bi-weekly tests secure a girl's place at the school, and if performances are not acceptable, girls wash out and go home. Byrd and her friends are determined not to let that happen to their squad. For these girls, flying is in their blood, and they feel at home in the air.
Julia Moberg writes about a little known fact in American history when the women ruled the skies, testing airplanes for the Air Force, ferrying planes for male pilots, and doing their part for the war effort.
Byrd's father loved flying and spreading the joy of flying. When he died in a flying accident, Byrd's mother refused to talk about airplanes or even let her daughter near one. Byrd disobeyed, and found herself when she flew. Soon she obtained a pilot's license and gave lessons.
During WWII, she heard about a special school for women pilots to aid the war effort. She immediately took the entrance exam, never dreaming that she'd be accepted.
Byrd leaves small town life and travels across the country by train to attend WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) training school. Here, the girls sleep on cots, share a bathroom with twelve other women, perform calisthenics, and enjoy excellent food during a time where rationing food swept the nation.
Then the real day begins when they attend flying lessons with men who want them to fail.
Bi-weekly tests secure a girl's place at the school, and if performances are not acceptable, girls wash out and go home. Byrd and her friends are determined not to let that happen to their squad. For these girls, flying is in their blood, and they feel at home in the air.
Julia Moberg writes about a little known fact in American history when the women ruled the skies, testing airplanes for the Air Force, ferrying planes for male pilots, and doing their part for the war effort.
What an entertaining and educational tale about those first brave women who joined the Air Force in WWII. Their dedication and desire to fly when it was believed that only men should be pilots is admirable. It took a long time for these pioneering souls to receive recognition for their efforts - until President Jimmy Carter granted them veteran status and gave recognition to their efforts. Good, good read.
