Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart (Photographies) [Hardcover]

Corinne Szabo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Photographies

At an early age, Amelia Earhart showed herse lf to be adventurous and daring, but her interest in flying did not develop until she worked as a nurse in Toronto. She had a number of firsts, including being the first woman to f ly solo across the Atlantic. '

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-8. Instead of the usual obsession with Earhart's disappearance, this gloriously upbeat biography celebrates her drive and skill and daring as a record-breaking pilot at a time when women were expected to stay home. The spaciously designed large-size book, with big type, 60 duotone photos, and long, informative captions, is great for group sharing and personal browsing. Best of all are the italicized quotes throughout from Earhart's own writings, which express her determination and her spirit of adventure. Szabo's adulatory style occasionally becomes a bit too much in the inspirational, self-esteem, role-model mode, but it is buttressed by the facts of Earhart's aviation work: the dogged, careful preparations and the confrontation with failure, as well as the glamour and excitement. She broke records when she flew solo both across the Atlantic and across the Pacific. Finally, she wanted to become the first woman to fly solo around the world and to take the longest route, never tried before. The final section includes big, clear maps that show her final journey across the continents, with photos and commentary that she sent back home at each stop along the way. A long afterword discusses the theories about why she vanished. The bibliography includes her own writings. Hazel Rochman

From Kirkus Reviews

Sky Pioneer ($16.00; Feb. 1997; 64 pp.; 0-7922-3737-4): There is no shortage of biographies of the groundbreaking American aviatrix, and Nancy Shore's detailed volume for the American Women of Achievement series contains many of the photos reproduced here and then some, but the large format of the duotone pictures and the concise text make Szabo's work ideal for readers who don't need an exhaustive treatment. Other attractive features are numerous quotes from Earhart's writings, maps of the route she followed on her last flight, a foreword by Linda Finch, a present-day female pilot of distinction, and a handsome layout. (chronology, bibliography, index) (Biography. 9+) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792237374
• ISBN-13: 978-0792237372
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,542,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Inventions & Inventors

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful, must-have book for anyone!, July 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart (Photographies) (Hardcover)

I work at a library and came across this book when it first came out. I checked it out, took it home, and was reluctant to take it back. I just ordered the book because I can't forget about it. Disregard the fact that it is geared toward the young people, it is for every age. I'm 35 years old and found it an excellent biography. I love the quotes of Amelia's that are dispersed throughout the book on her philosophy of life as a person and as a woman. It's a wonderful, concise edition that should be in every biographical library. And especially wonderful for our young ladies in today's world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soaring Above The Rest, May 6, 2007

By 

Care (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart (Paperback)

Szabo, C. (1997). Sky pioneer. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Synopsis: Soaring high above the earth, Amelia Earhart defied the odds and overcame the social oppression placed on girls and women during the early 1900's. This beautifully written biography will captivate the mind of readers leaving the sense of wonder and mystery as to what happened to this striking, strong, daring, courageous aviator.

Evaluation: Soaring above the rest, this photo biography of Amelia Earhart's life is gloriously upbeat and celebrates Amelia's drive, passion and skill. With large print and 60 exquisite black and white photos, Szabo provides readers with a window into the extraordinary life of this brilliant woman. Written for children ages 9-12, people of all ages cannot help being captivated by Szabo's format and design. Educators presenting strong women during Women's history month or teaching about biographies will likely include this stunning photo biography. The quotes from Amelia spotted throughout the text give this biography a humanistic quality that is so lacking in most biographies written. Presenting this strong, courageous woman in such a high-quality biography is fitting given the achievements of this audacious American heroine. The final quote, "Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, failure must be but a challenge to others." is a fitting end to Amelia's legacy. Following this quote readers, will find an "Afterword" that includes the theories of why she disappeared without a trace.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think flying is cool., October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart (Photographies) (Hardcover)

I think this is a fabulous book because it has to do with flying. It's a very good biography because it tells you all about Amelia's life.