First Flight Around the World - Non-Fiction/Terrie

 

First Flight Around the World - The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race
review by Terrie

Summary:

     In 1924, four Douglas Cruisers departed Seattle carrying eight American army airmen, both pilots and mechanics, in a race among multiple nations to be the first to fly around the world.  Their journey through 28 countries in 150 days was fraught with danger and excitement, fear and awe.  The timing of their flight, just a few years after the end of World War II presented special barriers, both physical and political.  The airmen faced crashes on land and in the ocean, engine failures, wild seas, thick tropical foliage, icebergs, deserts, illness, broken bones and sleep deprivation.  When only six of the original team landed back in Seattle to finish the race, Lieutenant Arnold said he wouldn’t do it again, “not for a million dollars.” (Grove, 2015)  He also said the best part of the trip was the end, being finished “with the worry and the strain of it all.” (Grove, 2015)  Despite the trials, all the men were proud to be the Americans who completed the first flight around the world.   

Critique:

     Tim Grove, Chief of Museum Learning at the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum, has created a book that has all the hallmarks of an enthralling visit to a museum wrapped in an adventure story.  The primary documents and photos lend the first person perspective that give this beautifully designed book its fascinating connection to reality.  Mr. Grove obviously knows and loves his subject as it shines out of the colorful pages.  He provides personality to these adventurers, showing them in real situations, through the photos and his word choice.   This book is recommended for upper elementary through adult.  The format and content make it a book with wide appeal. Reluctant readers will enjoy the non-fiction style, mixed with the illustrations and photographs.

Bibliography

Grove, T. (2015). First Flight Around the World. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

 

For more information about the First Flight Around the World:

Smithsonian National Air and Space - http://pioneersofflight.si.edu/content/first-flight-around-world

A little in advance- A Centennial Celebration of the First Flight - http://www.firstflightcentennial.org/the-first-flight-around-the-world/

First Flight Society - http://firstflight.org/crew-of-first-around-the-world-flight/