Bessie Coleman: Daring to Fly

On My Own Biography

by Sally M. Walker, Janice Lee Porter (Illustrator)

High in the sky, Bessie Coleman could soar like a bird. She was free―at least until she landed. As a black woman in the 1920s, she wasn't allowed to learn how to fly. Forced to travel to France to learn, she became the first African American woman to earn her pilot's license. Whether she was wing-walking, giving a speech, parachuting, or flying, Coleman inspired people with her bravery and resolve.

Genres: Biography

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Sally M. Walker has written science books for children, including Earthquakes, an NSTA/CBC Best Science Trade Book of 1997. She lives in DeKalb, IL.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second of four books I read during a volunteer virtual Story (Any)Time event with New York Cares. Volunteers were given a list of books to choose from - or were encouraged to read books from their own child-appropriate collection - for children in an elementary school in Queens. The theme for this event was, appropriately enough, "Women in History".

Of the four, this story ended up being the longest in video length. I'm not entirely sure why that was - the book didn't seem exceptionally long to me - but maybe that's because I was so enamored of Bessie's story.

It's no secret I always lean towards strong and intelligent women, those with fire and passion and the desire to prove them wrong. And Bessie was all those things, and brave, to boot! Hers was a fun and exhilarating story, and I can only hope I did the pages justice in my recording.

[Sean Rowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the story of Bessie Coleman and I admire her drive and determination. This non-fictional story of her life is a testament to what can be accomplished when someone works hard and refuses to be denied their dream. She is truly a hero. She overcome racial inequality and gender bias to become a pilot in America. She is a universally unrecognized pioneer of piloting.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent biography that students can really get into. (Tragic ending!)

[Kynshasa Mcdaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It show children that even when others tell you you can't do something that you dream of doing if you put your mind to it you can do it. I would use this book for a different approach to black history month. Not many people know who Bessie Coleman is but my class would know. It would be a great opportunity to introduce other blacks that played important parts in history.