The Flying Girl: How Aida de Acosta Learned to Soar

Gr 2-5--Aida de Acosta's fascination with flying and her determination to do so allowed her to accomplish this very task as a young teenager. She studied under Alberto Santos-Dumont and after various lessons, flew an airship during a sunny day in Paris. Unfortunately, when she landed, she was met by an unruly crowd who shouted insults at her (even her mother was opposed). What were they to think of a woman flying; after all, the year was 1903! In the text, however, Santos-Dumont greets her with kind words: "You're a hero, such a brave inspiration for all the girls of the world!" The mixed-media illustrations flow perfectly with the story and provide a calming tone. This introductory biography will guide readers on their way to finding out more about de Acosta and women in aeronautics in general. The author's note provides valuable information about both de Acosta and Santos-Dumont. VERDICT A great resource for STEM classrooms and readers interested in historical figures who paved the way for modern day pioneers.--Martha Rico, El Paso ISD, TX

Writing in upbeat, intermittently rhyming verse, Engle tells the true story of Aida de Acosta, an American woman of Cuban and Spanish descent who piloted an early flying machine. While visiting Paris as a teenager, Acosta is awestruck by eccentric inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont's motorized aircrafts and is determined to pilot one. Despite objections--"Girls, they hollered, should only be allowed/ to learn how to cook, sew, and clean, / but girls, they bellowed, should never/ be taught how to fly/ huge machines"--Acosta successfully flies a dirigible, landing in a polo field near Paris. Palacios's mixed-media artwork features ruby and sapphire jewel tones, including in flocks of red birds that accompany Acosta's journey. Engle delivers a sweetly uplifting story about a girl who "only needed courage and a chance to try." Ages 4-8. Agent: Michelle Humphrey, Martha Kaplan Agency. (Mar.)