Fly High!
The Story of Bessie Coleman
By: Louise Borden, Mary Kay Kroeger
When Bessie Coleman was a child, she wanted to be in school -- not in the cotton fields of Texas, helping her family earn money. She wanted to be somebody significant in the world. So Bessie did everything she could to learn under the most challenging of circumstances. At the end of every day in the fields she checked the foreman's numbers -- made sure his math was correct. And this was just the beginning of a life of hard work and dedication that really paid off: Bessie became the first African-American to earn a pilot's license. She was somebody.
AI Overview
Title: "Fly High The Story of Bessie Coleman" Authors: Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger Illustrator: Teresa Flavin Release Date: January 1, 2001
Key Themes
- Perseverance and Determination: The book highlights Bessie Coleman's unwavering dedication to her dream of becoming a pilot despite the numerous challenges she faced, including racism and financial difficulties.
- Self-Education: Bessie Coleman's story emphasizes the importance of self-education and continuous learning. She pursued her education through reading and adult-education classes.
- Empowerment: The book conveys a powerful message of empowerment, encouraging readers to believe in themselves and their potential for success.
- Overcoming Adversity: It showcases how Bessie Coleman overcame poverty and racial barriers to achieve her goals.
Plot Summary
"Fly High!" tells the inspiring story of Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman to earn a pilot's license. Born into a poor family, Bessie faced significant obstacles, including limited access to education and the societal barriers of racism. Despite these challenges, she persevered and walked miles to school when she could attend. Her dream of flying was ignited by watching air shows, and she eventually took flying lessons in France, Germany, and Holland.
The book chronicles her journey from a young girl with a dream to a well-known aviatrix. Bessie's mantra, "You can be somebody Just like me!" reflects her message of hope and empowerment. The story concludes with a tragic note, as Bessie dies in a plane crash at the age of 34, but her legacy lives on as an inspiration to many.
Critical Reception
- Positive Reviews: The book has received positive reviews for its straightforward and inspiring storytelling. It is praised for its simple yet direct language, making it accessible to young readers. The Miami Herald described it as "inspiring," and School Library Journal gave it a starred review, calling it a "first-rate follow-up" to Borden's previous work.
- Authenticity: The illustrations by Teresa Flavin are commended for their authenticity, with carefully researched costumes, airplanes, and backgrounds that add to the story's historical accuracy.
- Educational Value: The book is recommended for its educational value, particularly during Black History Month. It is also noted for being a useful biography for book reports, with its thoughtfully designed layout and plentiful illustrations.
Additional Information
- Illustrations: The book features beautiful, folk-art inspired gouache paintings by Teresa Flavin, which complement the text and enhance the storytelling.
- Grade Level: The book is suitable for readers in grades 3-5.
Overall, "Fly High!" is an inspirational biography that celebrates Bessie Coleman's courage and determination, making it an excellent choice for young readers looking for stories of perseverance and empowerment.