Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee

by Marissa Moss, Carl Angel (Illustrator)

When I was little, something special happened every Sunday. Other families went to baseball games or the movies, but not mine . . . We went to watch the airplanes. . . .

Maggie dreamed of flying--just like her favorite pilot, Amelia Earhart. She told her brothers and sisters stories of flying across oceans and deserts, and all around the world. But in the 1920s and 1930s, few girls took to the sky.

Then, when Maggie grew up, her whole world changed the United States entered World War II, and everyone in her family was affected. Maggie knew that this was the time to support her country--and it was her chance to fly. Young Maggie Gee became one of only two Chinese American Women Airforce Service Pilots to serve in WWII.

Based on the true adventures of a girl not bound by gravity, Marissa Moss's stirring story and Carl Angel's brilliant illustrations depict what determination, bravery, and boundless possibilities look like when dreams are allowed to soar sky high.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Biography Memoir, World War II

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Marissa Moss has written more than seventy books, from picture books to middle-grade and young adult novels. Best known for the Amelia's Notebook series, her books are popular with teachers and children alike. Her picture book Barbed Wire Baseball won the California Book Award gold medal. Moss is also the founder of Creston Books, an independent children's publishing house.

Reviews

[Patricia Lamoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in first person, taking place in the early to mid-twentieth century, this story feels
old-fashioned by now. A Chinese-American girl, her family living in California, dreams
of being a pilot and getting to actually see the world. Her family mocks her, saying that
her stories cannot be real, they're impossible dreams. Her mother tells stories of life in old
China. Her grandmother, about living and working on a farm. Those, they tell her, are
"true" stories.
But Maggie's chance comes at the very time when the very worst thing in the world
happens. World War 2 breaks out, and Maggie enlists in the air force and joins a special
women's contingent.
The book is written very matter-of-factly. There are no battles in the sky, there are no
arrests for being an activist. But it is a historical memoir. It's also a feel-good book, an
Asian-American who broke barriers. She was one of only two Asian women in the
WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots) - but saw her place as firm within a very intact
American dream. A year after this biography was published, she and all other living
members of WASP were awarded Congressional Gold Medals.
Can children in the age of the internet still be inspired by the spirit of adventure that fed
our ancestors? I believe so. This isn't a ground-breaking book, but it is grounded and
meaningful, showing a family that lived outside the box nearly 100 years ago.
The book is illustrated with realistic watercolors. Without emphasizing her Asian
ancestry, it is simply evident from the beginning. And at the end of the book, there are a
few photographs of Maggie Gee in her element, with her airplane.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages 7 and up. The story of Chinese-American Maggie Gee, one of the few women pilots of World War II told in the first person. Her parents' story of immigration explains their life back in China while the protagonist pursues her own dreams of flying and joining the Women's Air Service Pilots. Little violence of the war is portrayed, but the threat of danger is implied. A moment when a fellow pilot nervously mistakes Gee for an enemy pilot on the Japanese side ends on positive note when she reassures him she is "American born and bred" and he is relieved to hear it. Primary school kids could read this story of empowerment along with "Write to Me" and/or "Keiko's Scarf," two books that illustrate the pain Japanese-Americans endured during the war in order to more fully grasp the problem of racism.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to read a story about an aviator whose life didn’t end in a tragic crash. While certainly some WASP pilots did lose their lives, fortunately by this time planes and piloting had become generally safer. It was great to read about Maggie’s unwavering desire to fly and her desire to serve her country and to break barriers not only as a woman pilot but as an Asian-American at a time when many looked down upon them or even mistook them for the enemy (her family was Chinese-American but that didn’t stop a few pilots during the war from being fearful when she took off her helmet). Told in first person, the story is engaging and my kids both liked it. The Author’s Note includes more info on WASPs and Maggie herself, along with some delightful photos. Maggie Gee herself shared her story with the author, so I think that speaks well for the authenticity.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief biography of a WWII Women's Airforce Service Pilot. Maggie was determined to fly but no one believed she could. She became one of two Asian-American WASP (and the only one of the pair to survive). I've heard of Hazel Ying Lee because she died in service to her country yet the Army refused to return her body to her family because the WASP were non-militarized. Maggie's story is far more positive. She met with some confusion over her ethnicity but didn't let it bother her. She doesn't recount any instances of overt racism or violence against her or even any more sexism than the women ordinarily faced. This is a very upbeat story for younger readers about 6-8.

Marissa Moss did not illustrate this book herself. The illustrations, by Carl Angel, are beautiful and appealing.

I would have liked backmatter with photos of Maggie and a more in-depth biography.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

-
Maggie Gee (August 5, 1923 - February 1, 2013) was one of 2 Chinese-American WASP in WWII. This book covers the time from her childhood dreaming of flying, through the cross country trip with 2 friends to qualify for flight school, to becoming a WASP and WWII. It includes one incident where another pilot mistook Maggie Gee for a Japanese pilot. It describes how she felt like something on display at a county fair – like a two-headed calf. The book includes an afterword about her life after the WASPs were disbanded. She joined the army and served in Germany during the 1950s. Later she became a physicist working for Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

Tags: Biography -- Be Accepting and Be Accepted -- WASP -- WWII -- Chinese-American -- Biographies -- Careers-Pilot -

[Lynya Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sky High by Marisa Moss, a story about Maggie Gee who dreamed as a child of becoming a pilot. Maggie not only becomes a pilot but, one of two Chinese American who served in WWII. Maggie loved the challenge of training with WASP( Women's Airforce Service Pilots). They trained just as the men, she learned to parachute, make emergency landings, loop the loop and fly low over cows' heads. Maggie inspired stories became a dream come true. This read can help with encouraging children to follow their dreams and believe while doing it. Also, can be implemented in a history lesson for 2nd to 4th grade.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring picture book biography about Maggie Gee, one of only two Chinese American women to fly in the WASP program during World War II. My daughter and I both enjoyed the story, though it felt rushed at times and we would have liked more information on Gee's training and experiences. A nice introduction.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the time Maggie - a Chinese American - was a child, she wanted to fly airplanes. When WWII began she saw her chance to work for her country. Wonderful story of a brave hard-working woman. Fabulous illustrations.

[Monica Hocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is based on true story of one of two of first Chinese-American women pilots. Very inspiring!

[Abby Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and fun to read. The pictures help give fuller emotion to to story and are beautifully done.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-

[Earth&Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring life story illustrated in a vivid, colorful style.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun--short--story about Maggie Gee, a woman of many firsts. She was one of two Chinese Americans to fly in the WASP program during World War II. It's a great introduction for young readers. Am now in search of more details...

[Abby Shoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synthesis:
Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee is an informational text that details the true story of Maggie Gee, one of two Chinese- American women to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Throughout the book, we learn about the stereotypes that Maggie faced as not only being a Chinese- American, but also a woman. It was heartbreaking to read about the discriminating assumptions her family and friends would make about her when she would say that she wanted to be a pilot, but her determination is extremely admirable. She overcame many struggles to get to where she finally succeeded and achieved her ultimately goal of flying airplanes and joining the WASP.
Ideas For Classroom Use:
One possible way to incorporate this informational text into my classroom is when we are discussing gender or ethnic stereotypes. It is important for students to realize that despite their gender, race, ethnicity, or culture, they can accomplish their goals, especially career goals. I would hope that this book would convince all of my females in the class that there is no "man's job"; that women can be successful in the same careers as men! I would also include this text on a lesson regarding perseverance and determination. Throughout all of Maggie Gee's struggles and obstacles, she kept her eyes on her goal and worked hard to achieve it!
Why This Book is a WOW Book:
Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee is a WOW Book for me because of the strength and determination this woman had to achieve her goals. Her hard work for such a daunting goal makes anything single obstacle look simple. She is a true inspiration for every woman who is working towards her goals. I loved the attitude that Maggie Gee displayed throughout the entire text as well. She refused to let her set backs or discriminatory remarks from other bring her down, instead that fueled her even more to accomplish her goal!

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee is a children's picture book written by Marissa Moss and illustrated by Carl Angel. It chronicles the life of Maggie Gee, a girl who fell in love with flying and airplanes, and wanted to fly like her hero, Amelia Earhart.

May, at least in my part of the world is Asian Heritage Month, which I plan to read one children's book, particularly a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.

Maggie Gee was an American aviator who served in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in World War II. She was one of two Chinese American women to serve in the organization. As a WASP pilot, she helped male pilots train for combat, as female pilots were not allowed to serve in combat at that time. She also ferried military aircraft.

Moss' text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Told in first person perspective, it depicts the life of Maggie Gee who fell in love flying and wanted to be like her hero, Amelia Earhart, and followed her dream as she became a WASP pilot to help in the war effort. Additional information is found at the end of the book. Angel's illustrations are rather beautiful and accentuated the text rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It chronicles the life of Maggie Gee, who dreams of flying like her favorite pilot Amelia Earhart. As she grew up, the United States entered the Second World War and she knew that this was her chance to support her country and a chance to fly – which very few women had the chance during the times.

All in all, Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee is a wonderful story of determination, bravery, and boundless possibilities – even if the dream is to fly.

[Ed]

Moss, Marissa. (2009). Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press 32 pp. ISBN 1-58246-280-1 Hard Cover); $16.99

So what do you do when you want to fly and you are both Asian and female? Today, this question strikes us as demeaning and almost unspeakable. For Maggie Gee, however, an Asian pilot during World War II, the question was akin to the elephant in the room—always looming whether spoken of or not. During World War II we did not have many women pilots and even fewer Asian females in the cockpits of planes. Maggie is just one of two Asian women serving as one of the Women Airforce Service Pilots! Faced with the skepticism not only of a country, but her family as well, Maggie drove herself to flight school (learning how to drive a car along the way) and mastered the sky. In this fine elementary picture book biography, we are presented with some of the background material that paved the way for the next generation to dream of blasting off into space (as depicted in Almost Astronauts).

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie Gee was one of only two Chinese Americans to serve as a WASP in World War II. This book tells her story.

The text is clear and the pictures are bright and colorful. I liked the way the book talked about family stories both true and not-yet-to-be-true. The difficulties Gee faced as a minority and as a woman during that time were mentioned, but were not the entire focus of the book.

The author's note adds more to Gee's story. The last page of the book shows photographs of those mentioned in the book.

A bit of the book:

'The day that I earned my wings and was made a WASP, I was so proud that I felt as if I could fly without an airplane. I sent my mother a postcard. All I wrote was: "Some stories are true, some are not. This is a true story." My family's stories flew with me, but now I was living out my own true stories.'

The author's note adds more to Gee's story. The last page of the book shows photographs of those mentioned in the book.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/9/13 ** I stumbled on this book the week before school started as I made my annual trip to the library to gather picture book biographies of scientists. I always keep my eyes out for biographies of other interesting people, though I am rather picky about the format. I prefer the picture book format, rather than the more "academic" mini-chapter book format that populates much of the j section of the biographies.

I'd never heard of Maggie Gee, but thought that this book would fit extremely well with the new collection of "Dreamers" picture books. I recently posted about the book More than Anything Else (Bradby/Soenpiet), which was the first "Dreamer" picture book I read this year. The second was this, about Maggie Gee, who idolized Amelia Earhart and dreamed of becoming an early female aviator herself. These books will form the core of a class-wide conversation about our dreams for ourselves.

I don't own it yet, but plan to rectify that problem soon.

[Literacy Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a children's picture book about Maggie Gee, ?. Maggie spent every Sunday of her childhood at the airport with her family watching planes take off and land, dreaming of becoming a pilot herself. When she was older, World War II began and her life changed. After she heard about the Woman Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, she was determined to join them. She went to flight school and was chosen to join WASP. She became one of only two Chinese Americans to serve in WASP.

Grades: K-3
Heather

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a young girl, I also wanted to fly. I took my children to the local naval air station to watch planes take off and land on Saturday mornings too. There were many ways that I connected with this book. Maggie Gee was a determined young woman and I love that we can get to know about her life. I hadn't heard of her before this. She wasn't only breaking a gender barrier though, she was Chinese American and there was only one other Chinese American pilot as part of the American Women Airforce Services.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In such a short book, Moss manages to effectively touch on several issues: American tension around Asian people in WWII, WASP's role in the war, balancing American culture with Chinese culture, childhood heroes or role models (Amelia Earhart was Maggie's). I thought this book was incredibly well done. I will be reading more of Marissa Moss.


Beautifully written, Beautifully illustrated. A great read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story of Maggie Gee. Marissa Moss always does her homework in researching her subjects. I love the illustrations by Carl Angel.

The only wish I had for this book was that the font would have been bigger. As a school librarian, and doing lots of read alouds to classes, it is imperative to be able to read the words from about a foot away as I hold the book up to show the pictures. The font is a wee too small for me. Otherwise, it was a joy to read.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a young girl, Maggie Gee longed to fly, but it wasn’t until World War II broke out that she was able to achieve this dream. One of only two Chinese-American women to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), Maggie’s passion for flying shines through in this biography of a true local hero. Gee went to UC Berkeley and was a longtime resident of Berkeley after her days in the WASP.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this fun look into the life of Maggie Gee, one of only two WWII WASPS of Chinese heritage. I like that this book tackled two subjects that receive little attention: Chinese Americans and the valuable contributions of WASPS. Maggie is a good roll model for girls and this book was well-written and exciting.

[Sandybear76]

A story of a World War II flyer in the Army. The flyer is unique in that the flyer is a young woman, and she was Chinese-American. The story tells of Maggie Gee and her dream to fly. She enlists in the WASP and is one in 1,037 women flyers who made it. The Army had over 25000 women try out as pilots.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to the Kindergarten class on the same day they got to meet the author. :)

Lovely illustrations and a great narrative. This story is very accessible to young children, and encourages them to follow their dreams.

Review available at http://moonlit-librarian.blogspot.com...

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful read! a girl dreams of being like her hero amelia earhardt. and her dream comes true.

two things about this book, Carl Angel has painted a cow that is shocked/startled/suprised - just plain (plane?) freaked out that is worth the caldecott by itself.

the pilots that trained the WW11 pilots had live ammunition shot at their planes. Maggie Gee is a Bay Area hero.

[Alexandria Shafer]

Being based on a true story I feel that this a great educational tool to use for many different topics and lessons. It could be used for WWII, aviation, women's roles during WWII, and also about dreams and having goals and aspirations for yourself and being able to achieve them if you just stick with it and not give up.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Gee was an Asian American woman pilot fighting for the US during World War II. Just being a woman pilot during this time in history was an unthinkable accomplishment all its own, BUT to be a Asian American Woman fighting for the Allied forces seems like an impossible combination.

Entertaining and informative picture book that kids and educators will love!

[Kione · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great children's history book, filled with beautiful cover to cover illustrations.
I believe that Ms. Maggie Gee will finally be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for her service as a US pilot during WWII.