Linda Johns (2)

Bessie Coleman:Queen of the Sky is a first grade level book about Bessie Coleman, the first African American pilot in the United States. Bessie grew up on a cotton farm in Texas and worked in a barber shop as she got older until she could save enough money to get her pilot's license. She overcame several obstacles to reach her life long dream. When Bessie grew up in the 1920s, very few women were pilots and she could not find anyone to teach a young African American woman to fly. Bessie traveled to France, obtained her pilot's license and eventually returned to the United States where she lived as a successful pilot.

Personal Reflection: I thought this was an inspiring book. Not only was Bessie Coleman one of very few female pilots of her day, she was the first African American pilot, male or female. This book is a great example to teach children they can do anything they set their minds to.

Extension Ideas:

1. Have children share about what they want to be when they grow up.
2. Make paper airplanes. Talk to children about other famous pilots and their individual experiences
3. Talk to kids about what they think it would be like to fly in an airplane like Bessie Coleman's and talk about how airplanes today are different from earlier versions.
4. Talk to children about what it would be like to be the first person to do something.… (meer)