Fly Girls
Fly Girls: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped Win WWII
Fly Girls
P. O'Connell Pearson
In the tradition of Hidden Figures, debut author Patricia Pearson offers a beautifully written account of the remarkable but often forgotten group of female fighter pilots who answered their country’s call in its time of need during World War II.At the height of World War II, the US Army Airforce faced a desperate need for skilled pilots—but only men were allowed in military airplanes, even if the expert pilots who were training them to fly were women. Through grit and pure determination, 1,100 of these female pilots—who had to prove their worth time and time again—were finally allowed to ferry planes from factories to bases, to tow targets for live ammunition artillery training, to test repaired planes and new equipment, and more. Though the WASPs lived on military bases, trained as military pilots, wore uniforms, marched in review, and sometimes died violently in the line of duty, they were civilian employees and received less pay than men doing the same jobs and no military benefits, not even for burials. Their story is one of patriotism, the power of positive attitudes, the love of flying, and the willingness to do good with no concern for personal gain.

Book Details

Genre: 

  • Adventure
  • Biography
  • Educational
  • Historical Nonfiction
  • Nonfiction

Age Level: 

  • 12 and up
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In a time of hardship, World War II began. Fathers and sons were being called to assist their country in its time of need, and the women of America were told to stay in their homes, feed their children, and pray for the country. But the women would not stand for that. They wanted to help their country not only survive the war but win it.

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