Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Sherri L. Smith’s Flygirl recounts the story of Ida, a light-skinned girl of African descent with an intense love and passion for flying. Although she lives during World War II, in a world where whites are dominant and males hold all real power, Ida is a clever, witty and compassionate character who passes for white to chase after her dreams of becoming a pilot for the military – the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Flygirl sends a powerful message to all types of people. It sends a message to young girls who wish to fulfill their dreams when the world they live in says they cannot do it. It sends a message to minorities living in communities with hate toward their own people – it tells them that, despite all the cruelty and discrimination, they can achieve endless possibilities. And most of all, I think this book serves as a good lesson for our future generations. This book reminds us all – boy, girl, black, white, old, young, poor, rich – that, in times of hardship, we have to unite together for the greater good, no matter what our differences our. It also exemplifies the sacrifice and struggles of previous generations.

- Angelica PeBenito, San Leandro Novelteens Book Review Club