First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race

The first round-the-world airplane flights are relived in this polished, well-researched account from Grove, a program developer at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Eight U.S. Army pilots and mechanics began their five-month journey in four biplanes (Boston, New Orleans, Chicago and Seattle); two of the original planes and six servicemen finished what was a race among nations to be the first to circumnavigate the Earth via air. While no one died, there were several close calls, including the crash landing that destroyed the Seattle. Travelling mostly westward in 1924, the fliers risked their lives many times over because of dangerous weather, remote and rugged landing sites, and unreliable planes. The chronological organization, sky-blue pages, archival photos, and period maps almost give the sense that readers are viewing an exhibit about this historic feat, which propelled the U.S. to prominence in the air. Accessible narration brings the airmen’s courageous trip into full focus, including their adventures in places like the Aleutian Islands or the pre-WWII Middle East. A solid choice for young aviation history buffs. Ages 10–14. (Apr.)