Flying was a dangerous pursuit in 1912, and many would-be pilots were killed. But Katherine Stinson was determined to fly. Because she was a woman, she constantly had to prove herself. Defying expectations, she quickly became a pioneer of the skies. This long-overdue book features stunning photographs of Stinson, who racked up many “firsts”—first precision flyer, first to do preflight inspections, and first to fly solo at night. She also invented night skywriting, amazed audiences in Japan and China, and, with her family, established a flight school and assembled and sold high-quality aircraft. A moving and inspiring story for young people, Stinson’s life is of interest to adults, as well, and the book is beautiful enough to display. Author Debra Winegarten lives in Austin, Texas
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-A story of an impressive flight pioneer, illustrated with informative black-and-white archival photographs. Stinson was raised in Mississippi and became interested in flying in 1911 when she was 19 years old. In a career spanning only seven years, she became the first woman to fly solo at night, the first pilot to perform skywriting, broke her competitor Ruth Law's distance record, established a flying school, and tirelessly promoted aviation around the world. An enthusiastic flyer and entrepreneur, Stinson met not only the challenges faced by women during that time, but also the incredible danger of early aviation. In telling this woman's story, Winegarten has included some fictionalized dialogue, an "invented friend," and quotes by Stinson as well as excerpts of some of her writings. A book that will no doubt inspire young people.
Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
By day, I am the Deputy Undersecretary for the American Astronomical Society. By night, I write biographies of women in Texas history for middle-school kids.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Katherine Stinson: The Flying Schoolgirl,
By P. Harris (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Katherine Stinson: The Flying Schoolgirl (Hardcover)
"Katherine Stinson: The Flying Schoolgirl" by Debra L. Winegarten is a refreshing, swift-moving biography of Katherine Stinson who, as a high-spirited young girl, was determined to fly. She was licensed as a pilot before World War I when aviation was in its infancy, planes were quite primitive and women generally were grounded as homemakers.The daring, pioneering efforts and feats that brought Katherine Stinson success and international fame are wonderfully related by Debra Winegarten who entwines this life story with the early history of aviation and highlights it with excellent vintage photographs. This is an inspiring, compelling, easy read for young people and adults, as well. To those who were unaware of her before, this book introduces Katherine Stinson and her close supportive family who eventually work together to establish an airfield and flight school, aircraft business in San Antonio. And perhaps most important is the message implicit in the courageous way Stinson meets each challenge in her career and aims for more: with earnest desire, dedication and education, ambitions - even some that seem far out now -- can be fully realized.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Katherine Stinson,
By Martha Duffer (Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Katherine Stinson: The Flying Schoolgirl (Hardcover)
What a wonderful book!!! Debra Winegarten weaves this beautiful story of courage and originality with engaging simplicity. With the dearth of female heroes portrayed in the current literature accessible to adolescents, this book is both timely and necessary. The book will be inspiring to adults and young people alike as they are transported through this tale of bravery and boundary breaking depicting the story of a woman who dared to challenge convention in order to follow her dreams. You won't be able to put this book down as you are captured by this fascinating true story told in a readable, enjoyable, moving style. Read this book! Give it as gifts! Buy it for your daughters and sons! You will be very glad you did. I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS BOOK!!!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting New Book on Katherine Stinson, Pioneer U.S. Flyer,
By
This review is from: Katherine Stinson: The Flying Schoolgirl (Hardcover)
Debra L. Winegarten's "Katherine Stinson: The Flying Schoolgirl," with its 33 full-page illustrations, is a monumental contribution to the literature of early American aviation.It is the fascinating factual story of Katherine Stinson and her seven years of extensive record-setting flying history. This tiny woman of 100 pounds, born in Alabama, raised in Texas, and in later life nourished in New Mexico where she became an architect, barnstormed county and state fairs, but more importantly, barnstormed around the world, becoming a great heroine when flying exhibitions in China and Japan where she was received and highly decorated by Japan's Emperor. She and her sister Marjorie even trained many American and Canadian airmen to go overseas and fly against the Germans in World War I, even though the U.S. Army refused to give her a commission to fly. Disgusted at being "put down" for being a woman, she went to France anyway and drove an ambulance. Here is a book, beautifully written and factually filled, that will thrill the hearts of all women when they read and come to know the many successes of "Flying Katie" as she was called, in spite of the fact that she was a woman. And it will make men cringe to see that "Katie" outflew them all. Ralph Hammond, D.Litt. Poet Laureate Emeritus State of Alabama
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