Higher, Steeper, Faster

February 13, 2017
In prose as riveting as the developments it investigates, Goldstone (Drive!) covers the history of early aviation up to 1915 in his first book for young readers. After grabbing attention with the crowd-thrilling stunts of Lincoln Beachey, “the greatest aviator America has ever seen,” Goldstone provides background on ballooning, parachutes, and gas-powered airships before launching into the main tale: the daredevils of flight’s first decade. As he chronicles limit-testing feats that astounded audiences, he points out that airplanes were not tested before they were flown in exhibitions and how radically airplanes changed in those early years: “By 1915, not one single feature of the original Wright Flyer remained in use.” Goldstone deftly combines captivating descriptions of the personalities—male and female—with discussion of the many improvements and ever-present hazards of early flying. Though questions about who actually built and repaired these fragile machines and how pilots were licensed aren’t addressed, Goldstone’s book enthralls. Archival photos, a timeline, and other appended materials are included. Ages 8–12. Agent: Charlie Olsen and Michael Carlisle, Inkwell Management.

Starred review from February 1, 2017
The author's passion for his subject infuses this richly detailed history of the daredevil years in flying. The introduction opens in 1915 with 50,000 spectators at San Francisco's Panama-Pacific International Exposition, watching Lincoln Beachey, "the greatest, most celebrated aviator in the world," attempt his famous Dip of Death maneuver. The narrative then goes back to fill in history about gliders and balloons before moving to its focus, the years from Kitty Hawk in 1903 to the end of this era of exhibition flying in 1915. Set mainly in the United States, the graceful account highlights a steady stream of breathtaking flights, mostly by white men but also a few white women. Fliers continuously broke altitude, speed, and distance records in exhibition contests that took the place of test flights. To make performances more exciting, they eventually added dangerous stunts like spins and corkscrews. Many pilots became celebrities, attracting huge crowds, inspiring newspaper headlines, and competing for cash prizes. Hundreds died while performing, which only made exhibitions more popular. Numerous black-and-white photographs show fliers, feats, and progress in airplane design, while diagrams help explain the physics of flying. Short sidebars add pertinent facts and anecdotes. For those who love history, aviation, or stories of great daring, this is pure pleasure. (timeline, glossary, notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 11-15)

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March 1, 2017

Gr 4 Up-Goldstone, author of the adult title Birdmen: The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle To Control the Skies, ventures into books for young people for the first time. What follows is an overview of early aviation history, with a focus on the exploits of record setters including Lincoln J. Beachey, Glenn Curtiss, Emory Malick, and Harriet Quimby. By expanding the scope beyond familiar figures such as the Wright brothers, Goldstone brings the legends behind death-defying acts to life, exploring how competition can lead to innovation. For instance, most early pilots built or tweaked their own aircraft. The writing style is engaging, and students curious about flight will appreciate the read. Though the chapters are somewhat linked, each one could also work as a stand-alone resource for reports or as a classroom read-aloud. The progression of aviation technology connects well with STEM curricula and could inspire experiments or projects that continue the "research" of the daredevils whose achievements fill the volume. The use of black-and-white photos will likely deter younger readers, making this selection best suited for middle schoolers. VERDICT School libraries in need of engaging historical nonfiction should consider for purchase.-Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Grades 4-6 While the cautious, conservative Wright brothers get the credit for the first successful sustained flight, the stunt and exhibition pilots who followed in their wake really pushed the boundaries of aviation development and technology. Their need for sturdier, sleeker, faster planes ushered in a decade of innovation that stretched from airfields in the U.S. to, eventually, the battlefields of WWI Europe. Numerous figures are featured here, but the history is framed within the story of thrill-seeking, celebrated pilot Lincoln Beachey. There are plenty of names to keep track of, and the action moves back and forth across the Atlantic as American and European inventors try to outdo each other. Fortunately, clear writing and chronological storytelling makes it easy for the reader to follow. Original photographs, contemporary publicity, and newspaper articles provide visuals, while sidebars offer supplementary tidbits. This look at the early days of the industry highlights the thrill and awe of a watching public as well as the fact that the sky was no longer any sort of boundary.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)