The Girl with her Head in the Clouds: The Amazing Life of Dolly Shepherd

by Karen McCombie, Anneli Bray (Illustrator)

When sixteen-year-old Dolly Shepherd is offered the chance to take to the sky in a hot-air balloon, there’s no way she’s going to turn it down. Even though the pilot actually plans for her to jump out of the balloon and plummet back to earth using just a flimsy parachute.

For Dolly, it’s the start of a sensational career. But the life of an aeronaut is as dangerous as it is daring, and there will be many narrow escapes along the way ...

Pioneering aviatrix Dolly Shepherd comes alive in this thrilling reimagining of her death-defying exploits from bestselling author Karen McCombie.

85 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Karen McCombie is a bestselling author of children's and young adult novels, and has had more than 90 books published. She is the author of the much-loved series 'Ally's World' (early 2000s) and her most recent books include the Carnegie-nominated historical adventure 'Little Bird Flies' (2019) and it's newly published partner novel 'Little Bird Lands' (2020, Nosy Crow Books), plus the 'St Grizzle's School' series for younger readers (Stripes). She has several books publishing in 2021.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know the story of Dolly Shepherd before now, and now I do! What a brilliant story - women can do ANYTHING. In a time where women were finding their voices and their strength, Dolly was jumping out of hot air balloons. I loved this! What an inspirational woman!

[AlanaBerish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book, all 5 of my kids loved it and I found the story intriguing.

[Helen Swinyard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fab short read about Dolly Shepherd. It is deliberately simplistic (to fit with the publisher's remit) and read it in one sitting - but I'm still thinking about it a few days later, which is a good sign. For the length and style, McCombie's skill in the telling means it still conjured up such atmosphere. I had no idea about this real-life interesting individual, and I love that I work just across from Alexandra Palace where all the action is set!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for Women’s History month, based on the life of Dolly Shepherd, a female aeronaut who started her career in 1904. Such a daring and brave woman, this story really gives a good sense of the bubbly, determined female Dolly was. Girl power indeed!