Flying: Just Plane Fun

Grade 3-5-Grist describes the excitement of flying while also including some of the mechanics involved, and her enthusiasm for the subject comes through loud and clear. Youngsters will be caught up in the upbeat, conversational narrative, which appears as the grandfather's handwritten entries in a logbook chronicling his and his grandson's first flight in his homebuilt Skybolt biplane. Colorful illustrations and diagrams along with photographs of the principals on this special day complement the text well. Even the copyright page offers information; it presents the flight plan of the trip. Cleverly, the "walk around" (preflight inspection of the aircraft) includes footprints so that readers can follow along, too. However, that spread is an example of the book's weakness as well. Some steps are clearly explained, telling what to do and why, but the direction, "`Twang' the flying wires for the right tune," needs more clarification. Similarly, terms like "cowling," "drag," and "thrust" lack definitions. A fun introduction that is not as complete as it could be. By Julie Grist