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Louise Borden

Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman Hardcover – Picture Book, January 1, 2001

by Louise Borden (Author), Mary Kay Kroeger (Author), Teresa Flavin (Illustrator)

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Besse Coleman was born in rural Texas in 1892. She loved school, especially learning about numbers, and she was a good reader, too. Yet when it was time to pick cotton she had to work in the fields instead of going to school. Nevertheless, she was determined to be somebody when she grew up.
In her early twenties, Bessie moved to Chicago. Perhaps there she could "find a bigger life." In the city, Bessie heard many tales of World War I from returned veterans. She also heard there were woman airplane pilots in France. From then on, she was determined to become a pilot. But she soon found out that no one would teach a woman -- especially a woman with dark skin -- how to fly. To study in France was her only chance, and by working hard and saving her money, she managed at last to get there. Bessie Coleman became the first African-American to earn a pilot's license. She was somebody.
The inspiring story of her difficult early years, her success as a stunt pilot putting on daring air shows in many states, and her dedication to telling young African-Americans wherever she went, "You can be somebody. You can fly high just like me," is as moving and important today as it was then. Simply told with evocative full-color illustrations, this is a special book for today's young people.

Reading age

9 - 12 years
Print length

40 pages
Language

English
Grade level

4 - 6
Lexile measure

820L
Dimensions

8 x 0.4 x 10 inches
Publisher

Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date

January 1, 2001
ISBN-10

0689824572
ISBN-13

978-0689824579
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Written for an older audience than aimed for in either Lynn Joseph's Fly, Bessie, Fly or Reeve Lindbergh's Nobody Owns the Sky!: The Story of 'Brave Bessie' Coleman, this informative and insightful picture-book biography of the African-American aviator merits attention. Borden and Kroeger, co-authors of Paperboy, stress the adversities of Bessie Coleman's childhood in rural Texas at the turn of the 20th century and emphasize her extraordinary perseverance. As a girl, Bessie struggles to get an education, even when she must pick cotton instead of attending school; later, at 18, Bessie enrolls in "catch-up classes" and is placed in sixth grade at a private college, but her money runs out after only one term. Undefeated in her determination to become "somebody," Bessie eventually moves to Chicago in 1915 and, later, learns of French women who piloted planes during WWI. From that point on, Bessie resolves to fly; when no American pilots agree to teach her, she saves up money and enrolls at a school in France, becoming the first African-American to earn a pilot's license. At once breezy and grounded, the rhythmic text is arranged in short, verse-like lines, which should encourage reluctant readers to climb on board. Flavin's (Pushing Up the Sky) pebbly gouaches are atmospheric if a bit stiff, capitalizing on Borden and Kroeger's optimism. A flight well worth taking. Ages 9-12. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 4-The authors' flair for imparting history soars in this biography of the first African American to earn a pilot's license. From her difficult childhood spent picking cotton in Texas to her grand achievements in aviation, Coleman's personality shines through. The warm illustrations done in gouache on colored paper mix exciting images of the aviator flying her plane with quieter glimpses of her interacting with friends and family members. The straightforward sentence structure keeps the action moving and will capture reluctant readers. Coleman's affinity for children will captivate youngsters, who will freely mourn the early demise of the "trs chic! aviatrix" who often told others, "You can be somebody, too." A first-rate follow-up to Borden's Good-Bye, Charles Lindbergh (McElderry, 1998).-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

From Booklist

Ages 6-9. This short, highly illustrated biography introduces aviatrix Bessie Coleman, who in 1921 became the first African American with a pilot's license. Coleman, who picked cotton as a child in Texas, moved to Chicago as a young woman and was seized with the desire to fly an airplane. When that opportunity was denied to her in America, she saved her money, learned French, and moved to France, where she earned an international pilot's license. Throughout the text, the authors emphasize Coleman's determination to "be somebody," a resounding inspirational message for youngsters. The writing is clear and informative. Even the potentially difficult section on Coleman's death in a plane crash is handled with plainspoken dignity. Flavin contributes a series of soft-edged gouache paintings that express beauty and harmony in every aspect of Coleman's life. Pair this with Reeve Lindbergh's Nobody Owns the Sky (1996) for the same age group. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Fly High brings back all my memories of my wonderful aunt Bessie. My family is so proud of her".

-- Masion Coleman

From the Back Cover

Bessie Coleman was born in rural Texas in 1892. She loved school, especially learning about numbers, and she was a good reader, too. Yet when it was time to pick cotton she had to work in the fields instead of going to school. Nevertheless, she was determined to be somebody when she grew up.

In her early twenties, Bessie moved to Chicago. Perhaps there she could "find a bigger life". In the city, Bessie heard many tales of World War I from returned veterans. She also heard there were woman airplane pilots in France. From then on, she was determined to become a pilot. But she soon found out that no one would teach a woman -- especially a woman with dark skin -- how to fly. To study in France was her only chance, and by working hard and saving her money, she managed at last to get there. Bessie Coleman became the first African-American to earn a pilot's license. She was somebody.

The inspiring story of her difficult early years, her success as a stunt pilot putting on daring air shows in many states, and her dedication to telling young African-Americans wherever she went, "You can be somebody. You can fly high just like me", is as moving and important today as it was then. Simply told with evocative full-color illustrations, this is a special book for today's young people.

About the Author

Louise Borden graduated from Denison University with a degree in history. She taught first graders and preschoolers and later was a part-owner of a bookstore in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to writing children’s books, she also speaks regularly to young students about the writing process. Her books include Good Luck, Mrs. K!, which won the Christopher Medal, and The A+ Custodian. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and you can visit her at LouiseBorden.com.

Teresa Flavin is a children’s book illustrator and fine artist whose mission it is to delight and inspire people of all ages through her artwork, stories, and teaching.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Margaret K. McElderry Books; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0689824572
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0689824579
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 820L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.4 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #453 in Children's United States Biographies (Books)
- #612 in Children's Planes & Aviation Books
- #1,022 in Children's Science Biographies (Books)

Customer Reviews:
124 ratings

About the author

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Louise Borden

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Born (Oct 30,1949) and raised in Cincinnati, I have lived in Ohio my entire life except for two years in Massachusetts right after I was married. Growing up in an old house on a steep street, I attended a small elementary school called Lotspeich. There, all the marvelous shelves of books in the library shaped me into a lifelong reader. So it is a thrill for me to know that some of my books are being read by children in other libraries all over the country.

Before I became a full-time writer and speaker, I taught preschoolers and first graders and was even a part-owner of a bookstore in Cincinnati.

Today, it is hard for me to separate my writing from the way I live my life. My own family, personal experiences, and friendships, as well as a love of history and travel, have rich and lasting connections to the books I write. The first impulse to write a book is always triggered by something that has touched me indelibly.

In addition to my writing, my work in schools allows me to travel the incredible variety of landscape in Ohio, and meet the heart of its people. I have spoken in over 400 schools across the country, but mostly in Ohio. Because of this, I now have lifelong friends in communities from mighty Cleveland to small-town Greenville.

Customer reviews

5 star		85%
4 star		9%
3 star		5%
2 star		2%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Bel4

Surprisingly good

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2021

Verified Purchase

This book is educational, beautiful, and because it’s based on a real woman it is very sad. My girls loved reading it and learning about a woman with incredible motivation.

Helpful

bascelflt

Beautiful pictures and well told story of a famous woman pilot!

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2019

Verified Purchase

This was recommended by one of the volunteers with the Tuskegee exhibit that came through our city recently. Yes, it is a "children's" book but is so well written and contains enough information for an adult to thoroughly enjoy as well.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

M.A.

Awesome book for any child

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is a great story for any child. This story is about her life, so it does include information about how she died. Kids can handle that info, just discuss it with them.

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

Great for Women in History month.

Helpful

K. Andersen

This book is wonderfu. It tells the story of ...

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book is wonderfu. It tells the story of Bessie Coleman, a woman of color,who pursued her dream of flying, even at a time when women in our country weren't permitted in flight schools.

My students are always very interested when I read it to them.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

nyc123

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2018

Verified Purchase

Great book about this country's first African American aviatrix; valuable teaching tool during our history lesson.

Helpful

C.Sky

This book was really easy for my students to read and contained a lot ...