Skyward The story of female pilots in WWII

Beginning in 1927, this is the story of three girls who find inspiration in the sky. Hazel, Marlene, and Lilya grow up in different countries, but each follows her dream to become a pilot, despite facing many obstacles as women. When WWII starts, Hazel joins the U.S.' Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP); Marlene joins Britain's Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA); and Lilya becomes a member of the Soviet Union's all-female 588th regiment. Considered creative nonfiction, Deng's book weaves facts about wartime, gender and racial discrimination, and actual women WWII pilots into the fictional girls' journeys. The soft mixed-media illustrations admirably show the dangers female pilots faced and their dauntless spirit while doing so. Historic pilots Jackie Speed Queen Cochran, Pauline Gower, and Colonel Marina Raskova all serve as inspiration to the girls and for their narrative. Some details could be more explicitly stated, such as Hazel's Chinese American heritage and the fact that her friend Elizabeth is Bessie Coleman. Nevertheless, the palatable blend of fact and fiction makes this an excellent addition to classroom discussions about WWII.--Yvette Garcia Copyright 2018 Booklist

This work of creative nonfiction opens in 1927 with the introduction of three girls-Chinese-American Hazel in San Francisco; Lilya in the English countryside; and Marlene in small-town Russia. They don't know one another, but they share a common aspiration: to pilot planes. During WWII, Hazel joins the Women Airforce Service Pilots; Marlene, the Air Transport Auxiliary; and Lilya, an all-female combat regiment. Deng's graphics vary from striking compositions reminiscent of WWII-era posters to dramatic views of soaring planes under enemy fire. Readers may be confused as to the story's verisimilitude: an author's note alludes to real-life pilot Hazel Ying Lee, but it's unclear whether Lilya and Marlene were actual people. Nevertheless, the message of women's empowerment across generations is clear. A final spread depicts an array of female service members, astronauts, and pilots, for whom pilots like Hazel, Lilya, and Marlene blazed the trail. Ages 7-up. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

This account of women aviators during World War II is distinctive for its presentation.This tribute to women in flight traces the dreams of three fictional, representative girlsan American woman named Hazel, an Englishwoman named Marlene, and a Russian woman named Lilyawho pursue their passion for flying against many odds. Aptly labeled "creative nonfiction," the narrative focuses on the spirits and determination of the women and less so on plain facts. Each struggles against many inequities of gender bias, especially American and British regulations that hold women back from combat even though they have received the same training the men doLilya, on the other hand, is part of an all-female Soviet combat regiment. The design elements make the book soar: a larger-than-usual format, airy wash illustrations, and page composition that flows from spot art to one- and two-page spreads. Especially effective are the pages of multiple small images detailing the women in various phases of daily life. Even the paper quality stands out. This homage to the historic efforts of women determined to fly is a special addition to women's studies that provides an unusual context and somewhat communal point of view based on actual events. While there are numerous adult and older reader titles on the subject, there are few for a younger age group. Exceptional. (author's note, bibliography) (Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.