greategret's review against another edition
5.0
Follows the story of James Banning, accompanied by Thomas C. Allen, who became America's first black aviator to fly coast-to-coast in 1932. Fun, vivid paintings. Great for teaching historical literacy (U.S.).
mmattmiller's review against another edition
4.0
Great story about someone I wish I had learned about before now. I'm surprised I've never heard of him. And yet, this is considered a work of fiction, so I don't know that I really know much about him still. That's my only disappointment. I guess it's good that I now have a new person I want to research, but I hate that having read a book "about" him, I don't feel I know anything about him (what was true and what wasn't?) Anyway, I enjoyed the illustrations and the story, and would definitely like to share it with my students as well.
brucefarrar's review
4.0
James Banning had a dream that astonished his mechanic, Thomas Allen. “Mr. Allen, my dream is to fly a plane from sea to shining sea, and this here 0XX6 Eagle Rock is our plane. But first I’ll need you to overhaul the engine.” It was 1932 and most everybody was broke. How could they afford the repairs and fuel to keep the biplane in the air? Banning knew how, “Whenever people give us food, fuel and supplies along the way, they can write their names on the tip of the wing. They’ll fly into the history books right along with us!” Allen was convinced, joined as co-pilot and mechanic, and the transcontinental flight soon took off from Los Angeles for New York. This is the bright and colorful story of their success.
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