Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

• 12/19/2013
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Flygirl
Sherri L.  Smith
Putnam Juvenile (2009)
ISBN 9780399247095
Reviewed by Hillary Krajewski (age 15) for Reader Views (12/08)

Ida Mae Jones dreams of flying; but, as an African-American woman, it’s unlikely that she’ll ever get her license in Louisiana.  Her only chance is to go to Chicago where there is a pilot school owned and operated by African-Americans like her.  But when the country enters World War II, it’s in need of all the help it can get, even if that means allowing women to fly planes.  Ida Mae is determined to go to Texas to train with the WASP, Women Airforce Service Pilots, even if it means denying her family and instead embracing the light skin and good hair that enables her to pass for a white person.  But if she’s caught, it will most likely mean death.

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.

“Flygirl” by Sherri L. Smith is a detailed and captivating story about the life of a WASP during WWII.  It was wonderfully written and made me feel like I was in WWII along with the characters.  The characters were wonderfully developed.  And the cover is absolutely amazing.  I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re into historical fiction.