American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky

by Sherri L. Smith, Elizabeth Wein

From the acclaimed author of Flygirl and the bestselling author of Code Name Verity comes the thrilling and inspiring true story of the desegregation of the skies.

In the years between World War I and World War II, aviation fever was everywhere, including among Black Americans. But what hope did a Black person have of learning to fly in a country constricted by prejudice and Jim Crow laws, where some previous Black aviators like Bessie Coleman had to move to France to earn their wings?

American Wings follows a group of determined Black Cornelius Coffey and Johnny Robinson, skilled auto mechanics; Janet Harmon Bragg, a nurse; and Willa Brown, a teacher and social worker. Together, they created a flying club and built their own airfield on Chicago’s South Side. As the U.S. hurtled toward World War II, they established a school to train new pilots, teaching both Black and white students together and proving, in a time when the U.S. military was still segregated, that successful integration was possible.

Complete with black-and-white photographs throughout, American Wings brings to light a hidden history of pioneering Black men and women who, with grit and resilience, battled powerful odds for an equal share of the sky.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, African American, Aviation, Historical, Teen

384 pages, Hardcover

Published January 16, 2024

About the author

Sherri L. Smith is the award-winning author of YA novels LUCY THE GIANT, SPARROW, HOT SOUR SALTY SWEET, FLYGIRL and ORLEANS. In October 2015, she makes her middle grade debut with THE TOYMAKER’S APPRENTICE from G.P. Putnam and Sons for Penguin Random House.

Sherri has worked in film, animation, comic books and construction. Her books have been listed as Amelia Bloomer, American Library Association Best Books for Young People, and Junior Library Guild Selections. FLYGIRL was the 2009 California Book Awards Gold Medalist.

She loves her family, travel, chocolate chip cookies, reading, and and a really good cup of tea.

Reviews

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I learned that Sherri Smith and Elizabeth Wein—of my favorite authors who write YA historical fiction featuring female pilots—had written a nonfiction novel together, well lemme tell you that I lost my shit for a small second.

This was beautifully researched and achingly well written. I really, really enjoyed it, and learned so much about Chicago's aviation history and the Coffey School and segregation in aviation (and beyond aviation), not to mention how Black pilots flew in other conflicts around the world.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute must read of YA nonfiction if you're at all interested in aviation history. I need Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein to write more books together.

[AK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing, and it was a pleasure to listen to the audiobook.

[Rachel Sweigart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely informative. I really enjoyed listening to the story of Black aviators, and how much they go unrecognized in the world of aviation. What spirit and perseverance. What an example of class and passion, especially facing racism and a country that would gladly accept their deaths in the name of freedom, but would not offer the freedoms for which they fought.
I’ve added to my list of place to visit (because of this book): The Black Wings Exhibition (Smithsonian) and Tuskegee Airmen National Museum.

[Gary Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and well written and researched. Fast moving too.

[Nancy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of African American pilots beginning in the 1930s. I love stories of achievement against all odds. Very well written and engaging.

[Sarah Ressler Wright]

Interesting short history and love the authors.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding high school nonfiction about the black aviation pioneers of Chicago (and if that sounds too specific, rest assured that you will learn lots lots more about lots of other things along the way. I know much more about the Italian invasion of Ethiopia before WW II for instance....) The first half of the book, focused on individuals overcome adversity in their quest to fly, was the strongest, and I had to round up my stars when I lost a bit of interest as things got a bit less personally engrossing in the bit about the build up to WW II.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 1900s, aviation was one of the most exciting and innovative experiences in the world. But in the United States, potential pilots of color were relentlessly prevented from pursuing their dreams. Despite the enormous number of setbacks they faced, however, several Black Americans made the brave and tenacious decision to do whatever they could to secure their own place in the sky. Cornelius Robinson Coffey and Johnny Robinson were two of the most prominent Black aviation leaders during this time, and it is thanks to their unrelenting persistence that the skies were ultimately desegregated, offering a space to anyone who wishes to feel the wind beneath their wings.

This nonfiction book is approachable to young adults as well as older readers, especially as it is carefully demarcated by periods of time in which Coffey and Robinson were making their way toward the future they envisioned for themselves and for their country. The writing is detailed and accessible, and it includes a vast array of meticulously researched information. Though not everything was well-documented in the early part of the 1900s, the best attempts have been made to extrapolate the truth from the evidence available. In addition to the text, occasional photographs are included to help orient readers to the characters and their real-life appearances.

One of the most prominent features of this book are the frequent references to overt racism the characters faced on a daily basis. Every step the people featured in this book made in their lives, they had to fight for rights others took for granted. It is often difficult to read about how Coffey and his companions were treated, and it is even more concerning to recognize similar behaviors over a century later. What is inspiring, however, is how Coffey, Robinson, and their friends had the bravery to break barriers and helped pave the way for a more inclusive environment in the present day. This is a carefully researched and well-presented book that will appeal to young adults, especially those intrigued by the world of aviation.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. Persistent. Resilient. Smart. Dedicated. Passionate. These are just some of the words that come to mind. This book is so good. I absolutely loved learning about these early aviators. At times I found this to be a bit slow and repetitive, but that was so easy to overlook b/c the content of this book I found to be fascinating, inspiring, and educational.

American Wings is written by some stellar authors. Sherri Smith and Elizabeth Wein have both individually written amazing historical books, and as a team they were seamless. I felt they merged their styles well. I also am so impressed and amazed by the 87 pages of source notes and resources listed. They legit did sooooo much homework.

This is a story of the aviation craze in the early 1900s. It highlights Bessie Coleman as an inspiration for some, but it doesn't mention her at all. These individuals, mainly Cornelius Coffey, Johnny Robinson, Janet Harmon Bragg, and Willa Brown were smart, dedicated and brave men and women that persisted in their fight for aviation. These four Black Americans had to work so much harder to train and become licensed, and I am inspired by them.

The audiobook is read by Karen Murray and she brought this story to life. The book has so many amazing pictures that bring the characters to life. Having both is a winning combination.

Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC and to Penguin Teen for the ARC. #PenguinTeenPartner #AmericanWings

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢 𝐋. 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you #partners @PenguinTeen and @PRHAudio for providing me with #gifted copies of American Wings! #PRHAudioPartner #PRHAInfluencer #PenguinTeenPartner

Wow! American Wings is a well-researched book that would be appealing to both teens and adults. I found the format with photographs to really help elevate the readers understanding of the history behind the group of Black Americans who displayed determination and resilience in the fight for equal rights in the sky. Coffey, Robinson, and the rest of the group fought over and over again against racism in order to pave the way for equality. I found their story to be so inspirational and the details that were documented by the authors really helped to paint a better picture of this brave group of individuals. 🎧While I often found myself referencing the physical book, I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by Karen Murray. Murray brought the story and history to life for me and I found her to be such a dynamic narrator. I think the narration would be the perfect supplement to the physical book and I highly recommend both formats!

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confusingly, this is packaged as if it's for adults but it's absolutely written in the voice used in the US for children's non-fiction and hagiography.

ie p, 49 (at random)

'Janet had never driven a car in her young life, but she'd seen how it was done, so she said, "Oh, yes, sir."
...
Janet would prove to be just as handing and resourceful at flying as she was at driving.
As a little girl, Janet was fascinated with birds in flight. As early as five years old, she'd lie in the grass looking up at the big fluffy clouds known as cumulus with a church song in her head: "There's not a Friend like Lowly Jesus." Janet had misunderstood the lyrics, and thought it was about the "long legged Jesus. She pictured Him striding across the snowy clouds and wpondered what it would be like to see those clouds close up for herself.'

This kind of writing is usual in children;'s books which seek to provoke the child's imaginative identification. But in an adult book it's sticky and sentimental, and the book is full of this.

I gave the book a four, because it's a story that needs to be told, it's very well researched, and the narrative and structure is excellent. But if you like your biographies a little less affective you may (like me) find yourself skimming.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's more like a 2.5 than a 3 star for me in the sense that I thought the merging of these two voices, both prolific writers for teens, might provide an avenue to bring aviation focused on Black aviators to life for a younger crowd. I was concerned because Wein is not accessible for the majority of teen readers- I've never found her books compelling while Smith I have had plenty of luck however this leans heavily into the information and less about the narrative which doesn't carry it well for an average teen reader.

PLENTY of amazing biographies and connecting stories for justice for Black aviators starting from the very beginning, however, it doesn't add the pizzazz of narrative to make me indulge and invest. I would take sections or pieces but I would have a harder time selling the whole book. Would it have made a thoughtful middle grade nonfiction leaning on the images that are in this book with more of a blocked chronology and biography? I think so, but I'm not out there doing the hard work that these writers do, so it's my observation.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best nonfiction I've read in a long time, so I'm going to round it up to a 4.5. I've been reading a lot of okay but not great nonfiction lately, so this was a really pleasant surprise. I thought the authors did a really good job with this one, and the subject material was fascinating. I can tell a lot of research went into this one.

I feel like we often talk about Bessie Coleman (more so, at least, now) and then the Tuskegee Airmen, but we don't talk about all the Black aviation pioneers that came in between. Bessie had to fly in France, and the Tuskegee Airmen didn't pop up out of nowhere. This book tells all of what happened in between and why the Tuskegee Airmen were ready to go--and the long fight that had to happen to even be in a place for that to happen. I listened on audio and really enjoyed this one.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Wings tells the true story of the desegregation of the skies. This fascinating nonfiction read that reads almost like a novel thanks to the fantastic writing duo of Sherri L. Smith (Flygirl) and Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity). Their text has a warm conversational tone that’s got an easy, accessible feel to it.

Though the official page count of American Wings is 376 pages, just over 100 of those pages are dedicated to an authors’ note, source notes, a list of resources, and an index. This book is extremely well researched, and it shows.

With a topic like flight, American Wings is sure to appeal to a large cross-section of readers. And I can see a lot of adults being drawn to it as well. It’s an excellent read.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Astonishingly comprehensive, groundbreaking research compiles loads of inspiring information about the dogged determination, intelligence, resilience and profound courage of the African Americans who fought for their rightful place in aviation history and who contributed mightily to the World War Two war effort.

Thank heavens these thorough and talented writers tackled this topic. Their interest and knowledge shines through. Sometimes the sheer volume of information and detail bogs down the narrative. There are many moments of gripping excitement, but just as in real life, lots of moments where momentum slows because the flyers must once again overcome adversity or find their way around racial roadblocks.

The cast of characters is large and I did feel handicapped reading this in audio form. I would imagine the hardcopy would make keeping track easier. Both because the photographs would be clearer and presumably backmatter or timelines would come in handy.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in the Chicago area at a time when the northwest suburbs were very, very white. This was also a time when the contributions of African Americans were not taught in schools. So my curiosity was piqued by this title.
I have found it to be a wonderful listen. The history of these groundbreaking aviators with more than their fair share of challenges should be recognized by more people. The effects of Jim Crow policies still affect life in the United States and if we want to achieve true freedom and democracy for all citizens, it’s important to know our history in a deeper way than mere events and dates. I am grateful for the work of these pioneers in opening doors to enable others to find fulfilling work and to realize their dreams.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having earned my FAA Single Engine Private Pilot license in 1964, this was a fascinating book for me to read! These men and women made so much effort to overcome being black and tried to get access to planes, airport, study, and especially money in a time of segregation. The trials that went into this history! Reading it gave me a perspective of what happened before and during my lifetime. What was especially appealing was the chance to follow the aviation lives of the main characters as they built up airplane maintenance mechanical and flying skills as well as having creative ideas about what they could get to happen next. Certifications, initializing aviation colleges, making landing strips, convincing the Army to let them fly and then to be integrated troops and more.

[Maybee Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this books for a few reasons. First, I love history and love learning about pieces of history that I didn't know much of before. The dawn of aviation is often remembered with Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. What doesn't get discussed are the challenges that Black pilots faced during these early years, and leading up to the hard earned fame that came with the Tuskegee Airmen. A second reason I enjoyed this was the beauty of seeing integration happen in ways that weren't expected or celebrated back then. Finally, and this reason will not apply to all readers, is that much of what happened in this book took place near where I grew up and lived my early adulthood. It was so fun for me to picture what is now homes and businesses as an airfield.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually a review of the audiobook edition narrated by Karen Murray. I have no time to jump through all the hoops (TheStorygraph.com is MUCH easier! And isn't affiliated with Amazon!)
Anyway, this was an excellent AUDIOBOOK. I know a lot aviation history (my mom was a WASP) but this really taught me a lot about the Chicago group of aviators, their inclusion of women, the things that people with less money did to learn to fly (my mom was one of those), the debates over segregated flying schools (I learned really eye opening things about Tuskegee).
Excellent book. Also really liked how the authors explained flight physics in lay terms.

[Hedgehog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real pleasure. It's quite approachable, full of amazing characters and stories, and it's inspiring.

I hadn't previously heard of the Challengers Aero club but now am amazed by what they did.

Like many, I was familiar with the 99th Pursuit Squadron (Tuskeegee Airmen). Anyone who is will be intrigued to learn some of the background behind it. Some truly determined young Black men and women learned to fly, to work on airplanes, to teach others to fly, and how to deal with the endemic racism of America that nearly blocked their substantial achievements. It's mostly set in Chicago but also in the south, even Ethiopia.

Wonderful writing and photos!

[Jordan Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great look into Black aviation and turn off modernism before and during WWII. This book is incredibly detailed about the state of flight at the time, the racist and sexist attitudes that some folks harbored, but also the resilience, the tenacity, and the grit of our four main characters show at achieving their dreams, goals, and dreams of varying levels of aviation.

Follows the Coffey school of flight from the south side of Chicago and the influence that this school had in American aviation history. This text is well researched with primary source photos. Great addition to any collection, especially one looking to highlight hidden history.

[Cassandra Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic look at the struggles for black men and women to learn how to fly airplanes. I like that it told the story all the way thru from just trying to learn to be mechanics and the racism they had to regularly deal with in trying to become pilots, flying to various locations to get supporters for their missions. This Non-fiction book was anything but boring. It told this historical story in a very easy manner that anyone would enjoy to read this. I definitely want to look more into this important moments of history after reading this book.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative look at the contributions and timeline of Black aviators in America, especially seen through the lives of Cornelius Coffey, John C. Robinson, and Willa Brown.

Very interesting but it was a lot of facts and dates that high schoolers might lose interest in. I listened to the audio book so if there were historic pictures to add to the story, I didn't see them. Have requested a copy of the print book to experience the full thing.

Satisfies 52 Book Challenge 2025 Prompt: #43. Explores Social Class

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "town" of Willow Run does not exist. Should that fact outweigh all the fascinating people and history that are included in this book? Probably not. And yet, the brief mention of the "town of Willow Run" early on soured me on the rest of the book.

Overall, it was full of interesting people who helped to push forward aviation in its early days. Starting with Bessie Coleman (well known) and ending with Mae Jemison (also well known), this tells the story of the lesser known folks in between. I loved the history, but it was hard to keep all the people straight.

[Rahman Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Right now in the story Coffey is trying to find a job. And he finds one, he works in a Chevy dealer. Then he impresses Dr. Ossian sweet enough to become the one and only mechanic for his beloved Marmon. And I think this book is a boring book. I really didn't like it, I read the summary of it when we were trying to get a book from the library. And it was interesting, I liked the summary but the first 5 pages were fun to read. Then the story started to get boring, slow paced, and it's non fiction.

[Haley Kilgour]

I dnf’ed at 11% Please understand it was absolutely me and not the book’s fault.

So… the narration of this book is good. But I wanted to get the high flying adventure part of it without the backstory. And the backstory is needed to set up the fun bit.

For me I kind of got lost a bit in the here’s kind of where we’re starting, but let’s jump further back in time for a bit.

I also feel like I’m not interested in aviation enough to truly appreciate this book.

[Liz Paruch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and informative book about the history of brave Black American Aviators breaking down barriers in the skies pursuing equal rights. The author clearly did thorough research on this topic and I appreciated the number of photographs included. I can see this being an excellent book for older children and teenagers. The author did an excellent job of telling these individuals stories and was very inspirational.

Thank you to Netgalley for a digital ARC.

[Ria Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

“Some dreams don’t die; they multiply.” 😭

This was such a well written and researched book! I feel so inspired by these stories and these people. Chasing and achieving your dreams is such a beautiful thing. The things these flyers had to overcome were massive, but they did and created a pathway for many aviators after them. Absolutely incredible!! Definitely one of my top history books so far!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public library copy

Smith and Wein's research for other books comes into play in this masterpiece of nonfiction, and covers so much great information. I'm debating whether or not to buy it for my middle school library, since it is on the long side and doesn't have much in the way of pictures. I enjoyed it tremendously.