Yankee Doodle Gals: Women Pilots Of World War II [Hardcover]

Amy Nathan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Here is the fascinating story of the first women to fly U.S. military aircraft—the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II. Although these pioneers were never allowed to fly in combat, they did fly in many essential wartime missions—some that the men didn’t even want to take on.

Through firsthand accounts, these women share their experiences as they test-fly newly repaired aircraft, drag banners behind their planes so male trainees can practice shooting moving targets (!), and ferry all kinds of aircraft from factories to military bases. Their courage, determination, and lively camaraderie make every page inspiring and surprising.

Yankee Doodle Gals will give today’s young people a new look at World War II and show them just how dramatically society has changed since then.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. In 1973, when the U.S. Navy let eight young women sign up for pilot training, they were called the first to fly U.S. military aircraft. Not so! During World War II, a group of women, later almost forgotten, flew fighters and bombers. Though not allowed in combat, they ferried planes to American airbases and tested recently repaired planes. They even played the part of enemy pilots, allowing U.S. troops to have moving targets at which to shoot. These women were the WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots), and Nathan covers their fascinating story, beginning with the formation of the unit and punctuated by individual biographies. Unfortunately, the fact that two women headed up rival WASP factions sometimes makes the narrative flow confusing, but there's plenty of action to involve readers, and the women's perseverance in the face of obstacles is inspiring. Wonderful black-and-white photos extend the text, and a resource guide lists books, videos, and Web sites. A solid addition to the growing body of literature about women in flight. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792282167
• ISBN-13: 978-0792282167
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.5 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Aviation

More About the Author

Photo shows the author at age five, on a family vacation in Western Maryland.

For more information on Amy Nathan, author of nonfiction books for young people, please visit her Web site:

www.AmyNathanBooks.com

Books by Amy Nathan:

The Young Musician's Survival Guide
Meet the Musicians
Meet the Dancers
Yankee Doodle Gals
Count On Us
Surviving Homework
The Kids' Allowance Book
Take a Seat -- Make a Stand
Everything You Need to Know About Conflict Resolution
Round and Round Together: Taking a Merry-Go-Round Ride into the Civil Rights Movement

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully precious, August 9, 2009

By 

B. Fields (Rockport, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yankee Doodle Gals: Women Pilots Of World War II (Hardcover)

Wonderfully precious history of WASP , the first women to fly USA military aircraft. WWII. They were very young, in their 20's, this is a great book that needs to be reprinted . This little book is awesome and inspiring for young ladies to enjoy reading about. These young pilots at the time ended up being pioneers in women military aviation.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Read!, December 10, 2011

By 

Rebecca H ( Sydney ) (Sydney, AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yankee Doodle Gals: Women Pilots Of World War II (Hardcover)

I have a big interest in Women in Aviation. I love Amelia Earhart & our very own Nancy Bird. When I spotted this book while browsing one day, i just had to have it.
Thanks to Amazon.