NONFICTION

Jack Knight’s Brave Flight: How One Gutsy Pilot Saved the U.S. Air Mail Service

by Jill Esbaum (text) & illus. by Stacy Innerst
Calkins Creek. Mar. 2022. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781684379811.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 3–A hundred years ago, America’s lawmakers wanted to end air mail, due to the danger and expense; Jack Knight was one of the pilots who participated in a series of overnight flights to prove that air mail was faster than trains. Readers may rightly wonder if speedier mail service was more important than pilots’ lives, but Jack’s flights from Nebraska to Chicago, through fog and a blizzard, make an exciting story. The text maintains a tense, suspenseful pace, and the watercolor, ink, pencil, rubber stamp, and digital illustrations bring the journey to life with swirling snow in the dark sky and lights on the runways below. Extensive back matter includes an author’s note, photos, highlights in the history of the U.S. mail, bibliography, and illustrator’s note.
VERDICT This historical adventure has great appeal and may renew kids’ interest in the postal service; a valuable addition to nonfiction collections.
Reviewed by Jenny Arch , Mar 01, 2022

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

The Year of the Puppy: How a Puppy Becomes Your Dog
by Horowitz, Alexandra
BOOKS

Athletes Who Changed the Game
by Buckley, James. & Ellen Labrecque
BOOKS

Speaking of America: United States Presidents and the Words That Changed History
by Cohen, Jared
BOOKS

In It to Win It: Sports and the Climate Crisis
by Silver, Erin
BOOKS

Wisdom Weavers: Explore the Ojibwe Language and the Meaning of Dream Catchers
by Kaagegaabaw, James Vukelich
BOOKS

Amazing Facts: Kamala Harris
by Gifford, Clive
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?