Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Simply Science.

My selection is "Soar, Elinor!" by Tami Lewis Brown with pictures by Francois Roca.

Brown tells the story of a remarkable aviatrix whose life spanned the golden age of flight. Brown's narrative focuses on Elinor Smith's stunt flying -- On a dare, nineteen-year-0ld Elinor flew her Waco 10 under all four of New York City's East River Bridges.

Brown, who interviewed Smith, provides additional biographical notes about this remarkable woman who took her first flight in 1917 when she was six and earned her pilot's licence at 16 becoming the youngest licensed pilot in the world. She went on to become a test pilot and eventually "flew" NASA'S space shuttle simulator at the age of 88. During her lifetime, she set records for altitude, endurance, and speed and was named the "Best Woman Pilot in America" shortly after her twentieth birthday.

Brown captures Elinor Smith's passion and determination in this beautifully illustrated book.