aaron_j136's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Trigger warnings:
Body shaming
Death of loved one
Death of friend
Sexism
Racism
Discrimination based on skin colour
Claustrophobia
Drowning
Use of n word
Fire
War zone
Trigger warnings:
Body shaming
Death of loved one
Death of friend
Sexism
Racism
Discrimination based on skin colour
Claustrophobia
Drowning
Use of n word
Fire
War zone
koalathebear's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very interesting and thought-provoking read.
As mentioned, the protagonist Ida Mae Jones is a young African American woman growing up in the United States. Her skin is 'light' compared to the rest of her family and she could "pass" for white. The decision to do so never crosses her mind until the day she attempts to join the Women's Airforce Service Pilots. There's a very interesting discussion of Ida Mae's father and his background, her light-skinned grandmother and the desperate lengths to which some who can 'pass' will go to distance themselves from other 'coloureds'. It's very unsettling to see through Ida Mae's eyes how uncomfortable she feels - as someone who has to ride in the back of the bus, curtsey to white people and behave in a certain way, she finds it very shocking how differently she is treated when people think she's white.
On top of that, there's the discrimination and disdain the male pilots and military have towards women encroaching onto their territory. The book's young adult and written in a very matter-of-fact manner. It's not flowery although it's very descriptive and evocative. There's not a boring passage in it and I found myself liking Ida Mae very much and not condemning her for her decision at all, rather applauding her for it and sympathising with her discomfort and stresses.
As mentioned, the protagonist Ida Mae Jones is a young African American woman growing up in the United States. Her skin is 'light' compared to the rest of her family and she could "pass" for white. The decision to do so never crosses her mind until the day she attempts to join the Women's Airforce Service Pilots. There's a very interesting discussion of Ida Mae's father and his background, her light-skinned grandmother and the desperate lengths to which some who can 'pass' will go to distance themselves from other 'coloureds'. It's very unsettling to see through Ida Mae's eyes how uncomfortable she feels - as someone who has to ride in the back of the bus, curtsey to white people and behave in a certain way, she finds it very shocking how differently she is treated when people think she's white.
On top of that, there's the discrimination and disdain the male pilots and military have towards women encroaching onto their territory. The book's young adult and written in a very matter-of-fact manner. It's not flowery although it's very descriptive and evocative. There's not a boring passage in it and I found myself liking Ida Mae very much and not condemning her for her decision at all, rather applauding her for it and sympathising with her discomfort and stresses.
chandraleereads's review against another edition
4.0
This book is just shy of 4 stars for me, I would give it a B- grade. There were many moments I loved and I like the story overall, it was just too slow. The whole time I kept thinking it would make a better movie (*gasp*).
TW: Racism, Sexism
TW: Racism, Sexism
angelariley03's review against another edition
3.75
I enjoyed. Cool take on history and added an interesting racial aspect as well
everthereader's review against another edition
5.0
I love how Ida Mae became so strong. Though I wished she told her friends that she was African American.
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I waited a long time to read this book. And to be truthful, the main reason I wanted to read it was because the main characters name is Ida Mae. Just like grandma.
The story, Ida Mae, an African American girl living in New Orleans during World War II, decides to join the WASP (Womens Airforce Service Pilots). She is light skinned enough to pass for a white women, which is what she does because WASP didn't accept anyone of color.
The characters were well developed and as a reader you really began to understand how much Ida Mae struggled with "passing". The fight between her family and flying was constant and it was a very difficult battle for her. The ending was very open and left the reader in charge of where Ida Mae ends up. Some people really enjoy that freedom in an ending, but with this story I felt it needed a more tied up ending. The reader is too connected to the main character and leaving it so open was a bit of a let down.
I did enjoy all the historical references and I can see this book being a jump off point for kids and teens that want to learn more about women in history. The author left the reader with some further titles to read if their interest was sparked with this tale and even commented on some of the historically accurate parts of the novel.
The story, Ida Mae, an African American girl living in New Orleans during World War II, decides to join the WASP (Womens Airforce Service Pilots). She is light skinned enough to pass for a white women, which is what she does because WASP didn't accept anyone of color.
The characters were well developed and as a reader you really began to understand how much Ida Mae struggled with "passing". The fight between her family and flying was constant and it was a very difficult battle for her. The ending was very open and left the reader in charge of where Ida Mae ends up. Some people really enjoy that freedom in an ending, but with this story I felt it needed a more tied up ending. The reader is too connected to the main character and leaving it so open was a bit of a let down.
I did enjoy all the historical references and I can see this book being a jump off point for kids and teens that want to learn more about women in history. The author left the reader with some further titles to read if their interest was sparked with this tale and even commented on some of the historically accurate parts of the novel.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
A novel YA perspective on WWII - a teen age Black girl loves to fly, and passes as white to fly planes with the WASP (women air-force service pilots) for the US army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Ida Mae's experiences of racism and sexism are nuanced and honest while being appropriate for mid-teen readers. (There are allusions to "they'll do...or worse" scenarios, but nothing of that caliber on or off-screen). Her aspirations and struggles, while specific to the 1940s South, can still be mapped on to modern politics, and her conflicts with friends, family, and colleagues are just as relatable as a contemporary fiction novel. That being said, some problems are glossed over or have little consequence (that we see), which makes me think of it as a younger YA.
It walks the lines of thoughtful and entertaining, and historical and relatable, with all the ease of a talented pilot landing a Jenny ...or whatever aeronautical analogy you can think of..
Ida Mae's experiences of racism and sexism are nuanced and honest while being appropriate for mid-teen readers. (There are allusions to "they'll do...or worse" scenarios, but nothing of that caliber on or off-screen). Her aspirations and struggles, while specific to the 1940s South, can still be mapped on to modern politics, and her conflicts with friends, family, and colleagues are just as relatable as a contemporary fiction novel. That being said, some problems are glossed over or have little consequence (that we see), which makes me think of it as a younger YA.
It walks the lines of thoughtful and entertaining, and historical and relatable, with all the ease of a talented pilot landing a Jenny ...or whatever aeronautical analogy you can think of..
marmoset737's review against another edition
4.0
Great historical fiction pick for tweens - a look at the WASP corps in World War II (the first women pilots in the military) and also an interesting look at race relations during World War II through the eyes of Ida Mae Jones, a young light-skinned woman who makes the controversial decision to pass for white to become a WASP. The author uses conventional tween-lit staples (some tragedy, a little romance, squeaky clean heroines) which could get a little tedious for older readers and possibly for male readers as well, but the book will really resonate with most 10-13 year olds.