Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Flygirl
Sherri L. Smith
ISBN 978-0-399-24709-5
275 pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2008

Genre: Historical Fiction

Reader's Annotation:
In World War II, Ida Mae passes as a white woman to join an army program for female pilots.

Plot Summary:
It's 1943, and Ida Mae Jones' brother is serving as a doctor in WWII, while she's left behind in New Orleans to clean houses and look after her mother, grandfather, and younger brother. Ida's inherited a plane and a love of flying from her father, who taught her how to pilot a plane before dying in a plane crash.  When Ida learns about a new army program, the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), she's convinced it's her opportunity to really contribute to the war effort. To join the WASP, though, she'll have to pass as white, which means abandoning her family at a time she needs them most.

Ida forms deep friendships with the other WASP recruits, who, despite coming from very different backgrounds, all share a certain sense of daring and adventure. They learn that though the women pilots are desperately needed, they'll have to work twice as hard to prove themselves to the many men who are ambivalent, at best, about letting girls into this boys' club.

Critical Evaluation:
What a fascinating piece of history--one I knew nothing about! Flygirl actually interweaves two historical stories together, the story of the WASP and the story of the African-American experience in WWII. While Ida's story is fictional--there's no evidence anyone ever passed as white to join the WASP--Smith researched the WASP and the factual details in the novel are all true.

Some of the racial facts are stunning and slyly incorporated; as a black military doctor, Ida's brother is only allowed to treat other black soldiers.  Smith also includes a very moving scene, where Ida's mother visits her at training camp to inform her that her brother is missing in action and to beg her to use her military contacts to help find him. So that she doesn't blow Ida's cover, however, Ida's mother introduces herself as Ida's servant. Ida realizes for the first time what the hidden costs of her lie have been and what she may have to give up in order to continue as a pilot.

In addition to all these historical goodies, the book is fun to read from a young adult perspective. There's a minor romance element and a very strong sense of female friendship. I loved reading about Ida and her friends; they were all so spunky and vivacious and the friendships they formed were quite moving.  When Ida returns home for a visit, Smith incorporates a moving scene where Ida realizes she has more in common with her new friends than with her best friend from home, who shares her personal history, but doesn't share her spirit of adventure.

About the author:
Sherri L. Smith became a young adult writer after starting her career in film animation. She has written three previous books for young adults, which often deal with issues of race and identity. One previous book, Lucy the Giant, features a teenage girl who passes an adult on a crab boat in Alaska. Another book, Hot Sour Salty Sweet, details the experiences of a multiracial modern girl.

Curriculum Ties:
Could be used either as a tie-in to a discussion about women's participation in the WWII war effort or about racial identity before the Civil Rights movement.

Booktalking Ideas:
1. Speak in character as Ida, trying to decide whether or not she should pass to join the WASP.
2. Speak about the WASP program and women's involvement in the WWII military.
3. Speak about the racial aspect of the book and the challenges Ida faces as a black woman in 1943.

Reading/Interest Level:
7th & up.


Challenge Issues:
None

Selection Criteria:
This was nominated by multiple people as a Distinguished Book at a recent meeting of the Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California, so, when I saw it on a shelf of new releases in the young adult area of my branch library, I decided to pick it up. It's also been recommended as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults in 2010.