“An evocative and insightful look at the history of flight written from the perspective of the history-makers themselves.”
—Dr. Richard P. Hallion, Verville Fellow, Smithsonian Institution
Presenting the lives of more than twenty aviation luminaries from throughout history, this middle reader is a captivating celebration of man’s aspirations for the skies. From the story of the Wright brothers to that of Alan Shepard, Jr., the author, himself an experienced pilot, introduces young readers to the history of modern flight and the inspiring figures who followed their dreams to navigate over vast oceans, set altitude and speed records, pioneer stunt techniques, and eventually rocket into the great abyss of space.
Both children and adult readers learn about Roscoe Turner, air racer and showman, who started by flying stunts in the movie Hell’s Angels and went on to clock an average speed of 283.4 miles per hour, a new record of his time. Igor Sikorsky from Russia made his first helicopter at age twelve with a rubber band, but by the time he was an adult, he had created the Sikorsky XR-4, the army’s first practical helicopter.
About the Author
Philip Handleman has been an active pilot for nearly forty years, and he owns and flies two planes with military history, including a biliner from World War II. In 1973, he volunteered in Israel during the Yom Kippur War. In addition to his flying experience, Handleman has written more than twenty books on the history of avaiation. In April 2008, he was presented with the presitigious Harriet Quimby Award. He lives in Birmingham, Michigan, with his wife Mary.
About the Illustrator
Craig Kodera was born in Riverside, California, in 1956, and was drawn to the nearby Los Angeles airport. Kodera earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from UCLA and served in the Air Force ROTC during his time there. He joined the Air Force Reserve and served on the Air Rescue Service for several years. He was a member of the Society of Illustrators in Los Angeles for twenty years and was the charter vice president of the American Society of Aviation Artists. Kodera is medically retired from American Airlines. He lives in Clermont, Florida.
A DREAM OF PILOTS
By Philip Handleman
Illustrated by Craig Kodera
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Transportation / Aviation
JUVENILE NONFICTION / History / Exploration & Discovery
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography
TRANSPORTATION / Aviation / History
112 pp. 6 x 9
23 color illus.
ISBN: 9781589805705