The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane [Paperback]

Russell Freedman (Author), Wilbur Wright (Author), Orville Wright (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

The story of the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight, and the men behind it.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Newbery winner Freedman ( Lincoln: A Photobiography ) has again produced a vivid, superior biography. This time focusing on a well-known pair of brothers, he effectively transforms our perception of the subjects as distant cultural icons into tireless, flesh-and- blood heroes. In understated, involving prose--skillfully laced with pertinent excerpts from journals, letters and contemporary accounts--Freedman lays out a clear and compelling history of the early aviation experiments that culminated in the legendary flight at Kitty Hawk. As with Lincoln , photographs are integral to Freedman's exposition and he makes ample, effective use of the many astonishing photos taken by the brothers in order to better document their experiments. Youngsters cannot fail to come away with a heightened understanding of the Wrights' dedication to manned flight and to the painstakingly slow process of invention. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-- What unusual people the Wright brothers were! Despite a four-year difference in age, the two grew up to be as close as twins, a patient bachelor pair who methodically set out to prove the possibility of powered, controlled human flight. Just as methodically, they promoted their new flying machine, made lots of money, and overcame the U. S. government's stubborn lack of interest. In his own inimitable way, Freedman takes readers back to that exciting time, using not only the Wrights' written descriptions and the accounts of awed observers, but also a large selection of the careful photographs that Wilbur and Orville took to document their experiments. After an opening chapter to set the stage, the author creates a detailed family portrait. He closes with discussions of the photographs, sites to visit, and sources of further information about the Wright brothers. Freedman's achievement is as splendid as those of his subjects. --John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (P) (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082341082X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823410828
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Aviation
  • #47 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1900s
  • #55 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Science & Technology

More About the Author

Russell Freedman received the Newbery Medal for LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. He is also the recipient of three Newbery Honors, a National Humanities Medal, the Sibert Medal, the Orbis Pictus Award, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and was selected to give the 2006 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. Mr. Freedman lives in New York City and travels widely to research his books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Quickest Way to Learn the Wrights Story, February 5, 2003

By 

Rick Beyer "Rick Beyer" (Lexington, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane (Paperback)

When I began working on a documentary about the WRight Brothers, this book was recommended to me by a descendant of the Wright Family as the best short version of the Wright Brothers story. I heartily agree. Great pictures accompany a text that manages to tell the whole story without ever getting bogged down. Good for kids and adults who are curious to know the whole story.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story of a major invention affecting the whole world., August 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane (Paperback)

I loved reading this book and lent it to a friend and never got it back. I wish I had never lent it out. It was fun to visit Kitty Hawk, NC after reading this book and see a lot of the historical artifacts associated with the history of flight.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple & lucid, yet detailed -- absolutely excellent, July 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane (Newbery Honor Book) (Hardcover)

This book is written with precision and detail. Yet, since it is aimed at young readers, it is clear and easy to read. The author explains in simple, easily understood language, the seminal inventions of the Wright Brothers. It is an excellent book for any adult who wants to truly understand how the Wright Brothers invented the airplane. I would reccommend it to any person over the age of 12.