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Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton
A riveting picture book biography of Betty Skelton, aviation and auto racing pioneer, from award-winning author/illustrator Megan McCarthy.
In the 1930s most girls were happy playing with dolls. But one girl, Betty Skelton, liked playing with airplanes, watching them fly around outside, and even flying airplanes herself! She lived for an adventure—in the air, the water, and on land—and nothing could stop her, especially not being a girl.
When Betty Skelton was young there weren’t many women flying airplanes or racing cars, but she wouldn’t let that stop her. She was always ready to take on a challenge, and she loved to have fun. Beetty rode motorcycles, raced cars, jumped out of planes, and flew jets, helicoptors, gliders, and blimps. And by the time she was an adult, Betty was known in the press as the “First Lady of Firsts!”
This vibrantly illustrated picture book biography reveals the exciting life of a brave pioneer who followed her dreams and showed the world that women can do anything!
In the 1930s most girls were happy playing with dolls. But one girl, Betty Skelton, liked playing with airplanes, watching them fly around outside, and even flying airplanes herself! She lived for an adventure—in the air, the water, and on land—and nothing could stop her, especially not being a girl.
When Betty Skelton was young there weren’t many women flying airplanes or racing cars, but she wouldn’t let that stop her. She was always ready to take on a challenge, and she loved to have fun. Beetty rode motorcycles, raced cars, jumped out of planes, and flew jets, helicoptors, gliders, and blimps. And by the time she was an adult, Betty was known in the press as the “First Lady of Firsts!”
This vibrantly illustrated picture book biography reveals the exciting life of a brave pioneer who followed her dreams and showed the world that women can do anything!
48 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2013
6 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Meghan Mccarthy
33 books70 followersChildren's book author of many wonderful fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including the below following. Meghan's books have won the IRA-CBC Children's Choice, ALA Notable, Kirkus Reviews Reviewer's Choice, Booklist Best Books, NYPL 100 Best Books, SLJ Best Books, and so on. Blah blah blah, what Meghan really wants to do is drive really fast and jump in really long grass until she gets grass stains. She'd prefer to remain child-like because children don't have to pay bills.
The Wall Street Journal described Meghan’s art as “goofy yet somehow dignified.” Meghan is much the same way. By the age of 40 she plans to wear a boa at all times and on all occasions.
The Wall Street Journal described Meghan’s art as “goofy yet somehow dignified.” Meghan is much the same way. By the age of 40 she plans to wear a boa at all times and on all occasions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
September 29, 2021
Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy. It centers on a woman that is a whirling daredevil who liked to go fast and broke records in aviation and auto racing.
Betty Skelton Frankman Erde was a land speed record holder and aerobatics pilot who set 17 aviation and automobile records. She was known as "The First Lady of Firsts," and helped create opportunities for women in aviation, auto racing, astronautics, and advertising.
McCarthy's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Direct quotations from Skelton fill her story with personality. In McCarthy’s succinct prose and wide-eyed acrylic cartooning, Skelton comes through as a woman eager to break barriers and try anything. Backmatter includes notable facts, additional quotes, timeline, and bibliography.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. This biography reveals a woman who embodies a need for speed. Skelton was obsessed with flying from an early age, and she made the newspapers for a solo flight on her sixteenth birthday. Skelton went on to break records on land, sea, and air, and she even had a shot at becoming the first woman in space.
All in all, Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton is an adventurous story about a little-known woman and highlighting her groundbreaking triumphs with respectful whimsy.
Betty Skelton Frankman Erde was a land speed record holder and aerobatics pilot who set 17 aviation and automobile records. She was known as "The First Lady of Firsts," and helped create opportunities for women in aviation, auto racing, astronautics, and advertising.
McCarthy's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Direct quotations from Skelton fill her story with personality. In McCarthy’s succinct prose and wide-eyed acrylic cartooning, Skelton comes through as a woman eager to break barriers and try anything. Backmatter includes notable facts, additional quotes, timeline, and bibliography.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. This biography reveals a woman who embodies a need for speed. Skelton was obsessed with flying from an early age, and she made the newspapers for a solo flight on her sixteenth birthday. Skelton went on to break records on land, sea, and air, and she even had a shot at becoming the first woman in space.
All in all, Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton is an adventurous story about a little-known woman and highlighting her groundbreaking triumphs with respectful whimsy.
July 23, 2013
Betty Skelton makes me want to say, "You go, girl!" Her dad (questionable parenting or no? I'm undecided) let her fly her first solo flight at age 12. She got her official pilot license at age 16, which was incredibly rare for someone in the 1930s, obviously. She felt the need for speed in other mediums too, conquering racecars when they hit the market, setting some world records for waterskiing (but she couldn't swim... parenting thing again? or just fearless!?) and even took some tests to be the potential world's first female astronaut.
Meghan McCarthy is one of my favorite picture book author/illustrators. I love how meticulously she researches and makes nonfiction accessible to elementary readers of all age. You can shift it down for K-2 or get more deeper into the source material with 3-5 in the back. This book has a list of quotations by Betty Skelton, a timeline of her life, selected bibliography, and fun facts. I hope Meghan McCarthy never quits writing. I promise I will buy every book she puts out!
Meghan McCarthy is one of my favorite picture book author/illustrators. I love how meticulously she researches and makes nonfiction accessible to elementary readers of all age. You can shift it down for K-2 or get more deeper into the source material with 3-5 in the back. This book has a list of quotations by Betty Skelton, a timeline of her life, selected bibliography, and fun facts. I hope Meghan McCarthy never quits writing. I promise I will buy every book she puts out!
August 8, 2013
Betty Skelton learned to fly her father’s airplane when she was only twelve years old. Bright, acrylic illustrations draw the reader through Betty’s life. Betty wanted to be a commercial pilot when she grew up, but women weren’t allowed to do that, so she became a stunt pilot instead. Later, she raced cars and jumped over boats on water skis. She even trained to go into outer space, but women weren’t allowed to be astronauts back then. Through her daring and dreams, Betty made it easier for other women to become pilots and astronauts later! End papers feature race cars, and back matter includes Fun Facts, Betty Quotes, a Time Line, and a Selected Bibliography.
November 24, 2014
This children s book written about Betty Skelton is just absolutely amazing. I didn't know anything about Betty or her life but once I started to read it I fell in love how amazing she was and how she helped lead the way of women can do anything men can. It is a good book to read to children to teach them that not to long ago women were not allowed to do all the things. The story is interesting and engaging and easy to follow. The pictures are brightly colored. The inside book flap has a brief and quick intro on Betty. Overall very cute book.
July 12, 2015
So get this! Betty Skelton trains with the astronaut crew for Mercury 7, and then right before takeoff NASA says, nah!! We're not ready to send a woman into space. What a bunch of jerks!
Love the photo and list of Betty Quotes in the back matter.
"Aerobats are murder on one's hairdo!"
I like Mccarthy's work. I will add her to my list of nonfiction mentor authors.
Love the photo and list of Betty Quotes in the back matter.
"Aerobats are murder on one's hairdo!"
I like Mccarthy's work. I will add her to my list of nonfiction mentor authors.
June 17, 2013
I"m glad that I live in a world where my six YO cannot understand why women wouldn't be treated equally. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
July 17, 2013
Loved it, a great introduction to her life.
June 25, 2013
Great read. I had never heard of her, but what an inspiring story.
Read
November 13, 2018Summary: This book is a non fiction biography about the life of Betty Skelton. This book tells the adventures that Betty went through beginning in her childhood years all the way to her adult years. It also tells the daring actions she took during her era to prove to the world that girls can do anything boys can do. This included flying planes, boats, and race cars.
Evaluation: Although this is a non fiction book, it is written in such a way that kids will be able to understand it. It uses everyday language and there is no academic language that will make it challenging for students to read. The illustrations are colorful and expressive and accurately depict the adventurous spirit of Betty Skelton.
Teaching idea: This non fiction book had lots of cartoon pictures, but was still accurate in the information it was telling. Have students write and draw either an autobiography or biography book. Be sure to tell students to include key features of a biography/autobiography. Refer back to the text as a model.
Evaluation: Although this is a non fiction book, it is written in such a way that kids will be able to understand it. It uses everyday language and there is no academic language that will make it challenging for students to read. The illustrations are colorful and expressive and accurately depict the adventurous spirit of Betty Skelton.
Teaching idea: This non fiction book had lots of cartoon pictures, but was still accurate in the information it was telling. Have students write and draw either an autobiography or biography book. Be sure to tell students to include key features of a biography/autobiography. Refer back to the text as a model.
November 13, 2018
Summary: This book is a non fiction biography about the life of Betty Skelton. This book tells the adventures that Betty went through beginning in her childhood years all the way to her adult years. It also tells the daring actions she took during her era to prove to the world that girls can do anything boys can do. This included flying planes, boats, and race cars.
Evaluation: Although this is a non fiction book, it is written in such a way that kids will be able to understand it. It uses everyday language and there is no academic language that will make it challenging for students to read. The illustrations are colorful and expressive and accurately depict the adventurous spirit of Betty Skelton.
Teaching idea: This non fiction book had lots of cartoon pictures, but was still accurate in the information it was telling. Have students write and draw either an autobiography or biography book. Be sure to tell students to include key features of a biography/autobiography. Refer back to the text as a model.
Evaluation: Although this is a non fiction book, it is written in such a way that kids will be able to understand it. It uses everyday language and there is no academic language that will make it challenging for students to read. The illustrations are colorful and expressive and accurately depict the adventurous spirit of Betty Skelton.
Teaching idea: This non fiction book had lots of cartoon pictures, but was still accurate in the information it was telling. Have students write and draw either an autobiography or biography book. Be sure to tell students to include key features of a biography/autobiography. Refer back to the text as a model.
November 13, 2018
Summary:
This is a book about a daredevil girl! She wants to do things that people tell her she can't. Like fly a plane or go to space. She tests and pushes boundaries to do what she wanted. This is an inspiring story for anyone to read, but especially a young girl trying to escape from society's rules.
Evaluation:
This book is a child- friendly book, meaning it was written just for kids. There are many words on the page and the illustrations take over the entire page. The illustrations are detailed and colorful drawing children's eyes to what the students are reading about.
Teaching idea:
In second and first grade students create stories to turn in for grades. I would use this book to show them how they can have an illustration cover a page with words running across pages. This book does a great job of demonstrating how an author can get creative with word placement.
This is a book about a daredevil girl! She wants to do things that people tell her she can't. Like fly a plane or go to space. She tests and pushes boundaries to do what she wanted. This is an inspiring story for anyone to read, but especially a young girl trying to escape from society's rules.
Evaluation:
This book is a child- friendly book, meaning it was written just for kids. There are many words on the page and the illustrations take over the entire page. The illustrations are detailed and colorful drawing children's eyes to what the students are reading about.
Teaching idea:
In second and first grade students create stories to turn in for grades. I would use this book to show them how they can have an illustration cover a page with words running across pages. This book does a great job of demonstrating how an author can get creative with word placement.
May 8, 2021
It is so fun to read books to students about people who did things when others said, "you can't." I had never heard of Betty Skelton before and that is one of the wonderful things about books. Books can share people and places and information that you may have never known before but now you want to share it with others. This book is definitely one I will use in my flight unit. Betty didn't only fly but it was the beginning of her daredevil ways and will be fun to compare to the women in Fly Girls.
March 20, 2018
I had never heard of Betty Skelton until including this book in a Women's History Month study for my younger elementary students. As I read this to my kindergarten students today, they were so engrossed in all the things that Betty accomplished in her life! They were so excited to find out that so many records were set by Betty in a variety of fields! Very interesting read for adults and kids alike!
January 19, 2021
I had never heard of Betty Skelton before reading this book (aside from friends' reviews of the book). My son and I were surprised at all she did in her life and how she kept pushing herself more and more. Daredevil is certainly an appropriate title. We didn't care much for the style of the illustrations or for the abrupt ending. It through off the pace of the book and my son wasn't thrilled.
January 29, 2022
What a lady! I'd like to be friends with her! Also, I can't believe how supportive her parents were. Betty accomplished so much in her lifetime, had a zest for life and a very fashionable side. I love that she did "non feminine" things for the time period while remaining womanly. Goes to show you don't have to be a tom boy to be interested in "guy stuff".
May 16, 2018
First Line:
"While most girls did x, Betty did y" -> Don't like this because it sounds as if y>x and judgemental, while activity y is perhaps more unusual than x, that does not mean one is better or worse than the other.
Incredible women, annoying tone to the book
"While most girls did x, Betty did y" -> Don't like this because it sounds as if y>x and judgemental, while activity y is perhaps more unusual than x, that does not mean one is better or worse than the other.
Incredible women, annoying tone to the book
August 29, 2018
Betty June Skelton, lived for adventure, and became a woman of many firsts. She set many records, in the air, on land, and on the water. This book tells the story of Betty, and her daredevil lifestyle, and how she left her mark on history and paved the way for women to leave their mark as well.
July 31, 2017
I had no idea the contributions of Betty Skelton. She did all kinds of cool stuff for women. Book font and style similar to the book about Chester Greenwood who invented earmuffs.
November 28, 2018
I had never heard of Betty Skelton before, but my students (3-5) and I are enjoying this book. Is there anything she couldn't do well? Inspiring read.
March 9, 2021
This is a great one for Women's history month and all year long!!
July 3, 2021
Great story for anyone about determination and preparation.
May 21, 2024
Betty Skelton was one daring lady!
Read
August 14, 2016Daredevil is about the life of Betty Skelton. I honestly have never heard of her, so I was interested in reading this book. Betty was known as the "First of the Firsts" and for many reason. This book walks the reader through her first time flying, her first time racing, and doing aerodynamics, and even be considered for space travel. Because of her, she set the standard for women to fly, drive and go into space.
I liked this book because it tells a story, and doesn't resemble a typical nonfictional book. It has great illustrations as well. What resonated with me the most is that the book uses quotations. I was weary about this at first, wondering if they were actual quotes. If they were not, they should not be in the book. I did research on the author, and on the book. The quotations are words from Betty herself, which makes the book even more authentic.
Also, in my research, I found all the facts in the book to be true about Betty Skelton as well, thus making me feel that this book is perfect for children and their nonfiction choices.
I would use this in my classroom, possibly in third grade when we start talking about history and important historical figures. Students can use this book to research someone who paved the way for others, like Betty, who paved the way for women to do all the same things men could do back in the 50s/60s.
This book is organized and presented as a story for young children, but it is still a good resource for factual research. The book is organized like a story, but the factual information can be find in the quotations, or throughout the story as it is told. This is written like a biography, and so children can find factual information on almost any page of this book.
I liked this book because it tells a story, and doesn't resemble a typical nonfictional book. It has great illustrations as well. What resonated with me the most is that the book uses quotations. I was weary about this at first, wondering if they were actual quotes. If they were not, they should not be in the book. I did research on the author, and on the book. The quotations are words from Betty herself, which makes the book even more authentic.
Also, in my research, I found all the facts in the book to be true about Betty Skelton as well, thus making me feel that this book is perfect for children and their nonfiction choices.
I would use this in my classroom, possibly in third grade when we start talking about history and important historical figures. Students can use this book to research someone who paved the way for others, like Betty, who paved the way for women to do all the same things men could do back in the 50s/60s.
This book is organized and presented as a story for young children, but it is still a good resource for factual research. The book is organized like a story, but the factual information can be find in the quotations, or throughout the story as it is told. This is written like a biography, and so children can find factual information on almost any page of this book.
August 27, 2013
I loved the story of Betty Skelton. She was amazing and inspiring - full of adventure and grit! She not only earned her private pilot's license at the age of sixteen, but she became a flight instructor, joined the Civil Air Patrol, had a career as an aerobat, set world speed and altitude records for aircraft, was the first woman to drive an Indy Car, set auto speed records, trained with the Mercury 7 astronauts, and was the first woman to be inducted into the International Aerobatic Hall of Fame, the NASCAR Int'l Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the Corvette Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame, Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame, National Aviation Hall of Fame, and Motorsports Hall of Fame. Whew. Can you believe they wouldn't let her be a commercial pilot when she wanted or actually join the Mercury 7 in Space because she was a woman?! Shameful. Fortunately, we don't have to live with that level of discrimination anymore because of women like her. This would be a great ladder to Tanya Lee Stone's Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. I would've given this book more stars except I'm not a huge fan of McCarthy's illustrations. Sorry!
June 8, 2013
With cute buggy eyes and a charming smile, Betty Skelton is presented as a daredevil woman stuck in an era that didn't allow women to really be daredevils. Skelton was fascinated with flying and driving fast cars and though she had skills and interest, neither the Navy nor commercial airlines were interested in having a woman fly for them. Eventually her passion and talents were recognized and she trained with the Mercury 7. Though Skelton never traveled to space, she broke barriers with her training and involvement in the space program.
Some of Skelton's quirky traits -- flying barefoot and bringing her little dog with her -- will particularly appeal to kids. Her daredevil accomplishments, however, are presented in a fairly choppy manner and the text seems to be lacking the rich story of Skelton's life. Perhaps the effect of keeping the writing simple enough for lower elementary school readers? Still, it's a great biography about an interesting woman. I love how McCarthy weaves in quotes and uses primary sources as sources for her illustrations.
Nonfiction features: Fun Facts, Betty Quotes (no dates), Time Line, Selected Bibliograpy.
Some of Skelton's quirky traits -- flying barefoot and bringing her little dog with her -- will particularly appeal to kids. Her daredevil accomplishments, however, are presented in a fairly choppy manner and the text seems to be lacking the rich story of Skelton's life. Perhaps the effect of keeping the writing simple enough for lower elementary school readers? Still, it's a great biography about an interesting woman. I love how McCarthy weaves in quotes and uses primary sources as sources for her illustrations.
Nonfiction features: Fun Facts, Betty Quotes (no dates), Time Line, Selected Bibliograpy.
December 6, 2014
This is a great book to read to any child that has really big dreams. This story in about Betty Skelton, the 1st women to fly a plane, break a racing record and become the 1st female boat jumper. This story talks about the life of Betty Skelton and her achievements in her life. Although she didn't become the first woman in space, she did prove that women could do the same things as men. The last page of this book is more facts about Betty and a Time line of her life and the last thing on it is the day she passed away.
This story is a biography. Throughout the book, there are quotes from Betty. Those quotes make you see who Betty Skelton was. The pictures show really well what the text is trying to explain/ show. The pictures drawn are interesting but great. Although we know people's faces do not look like that, a reader can still identify what the character is feeling. The text is big and easy to read. There are a lot of facts, especially when Betty broke records! Overall, this is a great book for all kids. This shows them that despite those who may try to bring them down, as long as the still want to reach that dream, they can accomplish it.
This story is a biography. Throughout the book, there are quotes from Betty. Those quotes make you see who Betty Skelton was. The pictures show really well what the text is trying to explain/ show. The pictures drawn are interesting but great. Although we know people's faces do not look like that, a reader can still identify what the character is feeling. The text is big and easy to read. There are a lot of facts, especially when Betty broke records! Overall, this is a great book for all kids. This shows them that despite those who may try to bring them down, as long as the still want to reach that dream, they can accomplish it.
September 2, 2013
Clearly, Betty Skelton, born in 1926, was ahead of her times, but that didn't stop her from dreaming big dreams and reaching as high as she could. Thanks in part to the support of her parents, Betty learned to fly a plane in an era when women pilots were just about unheard of. She made her first solo flight at 12 and her private pilot's license at 16. When she was unable to fly commercially, she turned to stunt flying. Later, after a racecar driving career, she came close to joining the Mercury 7 astronauts in space. Although she didn't accompany them, all her feats during training paved the way for other women astronauts. The text, the acrylic illustrations, and the back matter depict this independent, determined, and free-spirited woman with a great deal of zest. Her personality sparkles on every page. Clearly, she enjoyed every moment of her life and enjoyed taking on challenges. Teachers may want to point their student readers to Tonya Lee Stone's Almost Astronauts that explains why women were only allowed so far in the space program.
October 21, 2013
Things have changed a lot since I was a little girl in the 50’s, and even more since my mother was a little girl in the early 30’s. Part of those changes have to do with women like Betty Skelton, who, according to this wonderful picture book for young children, flew her first solo at age 12. Officially, she got her license at 16, but her dad let her take off secretly at 12! That was just the beginning. She was not allowed to be a pilot, either in the military or as a commercial pilot, because she was a female. But she flew, wow, did she fly, as a daredevil pilot! And in the 1950’s, when she retired, Betty went on to race cars, then boats, and trained as one of the Mercury 7, hoping to go into outer space. Sadly, she was left behind, but her work was an inspiration for Sally Ride, the first woman in space. The book is written in simple language for the younger readers, and illustrated somewhat like the early readers. It is quite a story, among many about women who dared to do what they were not supposed to do!
December 19, 2013
A fascinating picture book biography about a woman who conquered the land, the sea, and the skies in a time period in which only men were pursuing those interests.
The author does a great job of inciting interest in the subject, but I was a little distracted by the writing style; it was jumpy and abrupt and glossed over the injustice Betty was dealt when she trained for space travel.
Back matter includes fun facts, quotes, a time line, and a selected bibliography.
Acrylic illustrations were okay. I liked the emphasis they placed on certain facts (i.e. Betty flew barefoot, her dog was a constant companion), but the style was a little too cartoony for my tastes. This book is a good introduction to an amazing person and will inspire readers to delve deeper into the subject. Recommended for grades 2-4.
The author does a great job of inciting interest in the subject, but I was a little distracted by the writing style; it was jumpy and abrupt and glossed over the injustice Betty was dealt when she trained for space travel.
Back matter includes fun facts, quotes, a time line, and a selected bibliography.
Acrylic illustrations were okay. I liked the emphasis they placed on certain facts (i.e. Betty flew barefoot, her dog was a constant companion), but the style was a little too cartoony for my tastes. This book is a good introduction to an amazing person and will inspire readers to delve deeper into the subject. Recommended for grades 2-4.
September 5, 2013
Daredevil is a wonderful book that teaches kids a couple of key points in a fun way:
1) It really is possible to know what you are passionate about as early as the age of 8.
2) Sometimes, when you are a kid, you have to take the initiative to explore beyond your initial passion. You cannot always wait for your parents to embrace your passion.
3) There are times when you might really work hard at something, believe it will happen, and then it doesn't pan out the way you think it will. You cannot let that discourage you. There are many things to discover.
4) Because there was a long period of time in our country's history when women had very few equal rights, it is important to embrace the progress we have made so far.
1) It really is possible to know what you are passionate about as early as the age of 8.
2) Sometimes, when you are a kid, you have to take the initiative to explore beyond your initial passion. You cannot always wait for your parents to embrace your passion.
3) There are times when you might really work hard at something, believe it will happen, and then it doesn't pan out the way you think it will. You cannot let that discourage you. There are many things to discover.
4) Because there was a long period of time in our country's history when women had very few equal rights, it is important to embrace the progress we have made so far.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews