House. ISBN: 0823408752.
This book is about the Wright Brothers� lives and how they came to invent the airplane. The book also discusses others who attempted to create a flying machine and includes lots of little known facts about the Wright Brothers� endeavors.
The facts are current because the subject matter is something that has already happened. The most significant facts seem to be included, such as background information on the brothers, how they came to be interested in flying, other important people who were working on flying machines, the process the brothers went through to invent the plane, and how their lives changed after the invention. The facts are most likely accurate because the book was a Newbery Honor Book and the author, Russell Freedman is well known for his nonfiction books for children. He has received the Newbery Honor more than once. This book also received good reviews from the School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. The information isn�t specifically cited, but Freedman does name some of the sources he used and points out that many of the photographs were done by Wilbur and Orville Wright, but not all of them.
The layout of the book is logical and coherent. For the most part, the book is a chronological account of the Wright Brothers and how they invented the plane. This provides a clear sequence throughout the book. The only exception to this is the opening chapter of the book which tells of the first time the Wright Brothers flew in a circle with the plane and how it was witnessed by a reporter. The information doesn�t start off general and later become more specific because it�s pretty specific right from the beginning. The book contains a table of contents, index, and additional information that includes information on the photographs, places to visit that are associated with the Wright Brothers, and ways to get more information on the Wright Brothers.
The book is attractive and readable. The pages are large and so is the font, which makes for easy reading. The large amount of full page photographs makes the length of the book not quite so intimidating. The photographs are appropriate and complement the text well. They are black and white which adds to the authenticity of the photographs. Many of the photographs were taken and developed by the brothers themselves. The photographs include the brothers, planes, gliders, Kitty Hawk, the camp site at Kitty Hawk, original sketches, etc. The photographs are also placed appropriately. For example, the text discusses how the brothers were apprehensive at first about actually flying in one of the gliders they had made, so they flew it as a kite instead. There is a picture on the opposite page of the brothers flying this glider that is 4 times as big as they are, as a kite.
The writing is lively and interesting and shows the author�s enthusiasm for the topic. After talking about Wilbur�s first public flight in America, the author describes how that flight was seen by an estimated one million New Yorkers alone and most of them had never seen a plane. It evokes a feeling of awe in the reader and keeps the reader wanting to read more. The text certainly creates curiosity on the part of the reader and makes them want to read other books on the topic. For instance, as Freedman is describing the work that the Wright Brothers were doing, he keeps mentioning other inventors who were trying to create flying machines at the same time. It creates an interest in that whole time period and in the other inventors. The book is also full of the most interesting details and facts. For instance, when the Wright Brothers left Kitty Hawk to go back to Ohio, they left their glider and told the postmaster he could do whatever he wanted with it. His wife took the cloth off of it and made it into dresses for her children. The book is full of quotes as well. One quote in particular is unique because it shows an unusual viewpoint about the Wright Brothers. This remark was after they had successfully invented the plane. He said, �I sort of felt sorry for them� there they were, neglecting their business to waste their time day after day on that ridiculous flying machine. I had an idea they must worry their father.� Readers will find it amazing to read that people actually thought flying was a waste of time.
This is an exceptionally written book that is so chocked full of unique details and quotes that any reader, young or old, won�t want to put it down until they are done.
