Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot (African-American Biographies (Enslow)) [Library Binding]

Connie Plantz (Author), Conn E. Plantz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-A well-researched look at the short but eventful life of the pioneer aviatrix. From her childhood in the cotton fields near Atlanta, TX, to a job as manicurist in a Chicago barbershop; from flight school near Paris to the tragic accident that ended her life, Plantz's readable text re-creates the exciting life of this brave, determined individual. The author's inclusion of chapter notes on sources, a list for further reading, and an extensive index make this a useful resource for reports. Period black-and-white photographs personalize the text. Philip Hart's Up in the Air (Carolrhoda, 1996) is also well documented but is a better choice for less-capable readers. Louise Borden's Fly High! (McElderry, 2001), Lynn Joseph's Fly, Bessie, Fly (S & S, 1998), and Reeve Lindbergh's Nobody Owns the Sky (Candlewick, 1996) are good-quality picture-book biographies for younger students.

Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Publishers (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766015459
• ISBN-13: 978-0766015456
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #686,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent short biography., May 3, 2006

By 

Elizabeth A. Root (Laurel, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot (African-American Biographies (Enslow)) (Library Binding)

This book is intended for children, but can be profitably read by adults as well. I read this at the same time as Doris L. Rich's Queen Bessie, probably the best full-length biography. I was impressed at how well this book conveyed Bessie Coleman's life and character, although the reader may also want to read Rich's book for additional personal, historical and contextual information.

The book is lavishly illustrated with black and white photographs. The Rich book is also well-illustrated, and since there is not a great overlap, the reader in search of visuals should probably consult both.

The book is well annotated and indexed. There is a very short biography and a few relevant websites.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable woman, January 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot (African-American Biographies (Enslow)) (Library Binding)

Bessie Coleman was a truly remarkable woman. During the 1920s, not many women or black Americans were drawn to flying. Bessy, a black American woman, had to fight many prejudices to realize her dream. Plantz tells Bessie's story from birth to her tragic and suspicious death in a plane crash as a compelling narative. Bessie tackled many challenges in her short life and can be considered a role model, if not hero, for black Americans and all women. This is a good read for 10-year-olds to adult.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot, May 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot (African-American Biographies (Enslow)) (Library Binding)

This is a wonderfully rich and enjoyable biography on a very important woman in history. Not only does the author make Bessie's amazing story come to life, but it is written in an enjoyable stye that helps you absorb the facts and significants of her life & times. I'd highly recomend this to anyone intersted in flight, black history, or women's rights.