Nothing but Sky

"My only wish was to be back on the wing with the wind in my face and nothing but sky for company," says wild-haired Grace Lafferty, an 18-year-old orphan and wing walker in her uncle Warren's barnstorming team. The year is 1922, and the troupe dreams of entering the upcoming World Aviation Expo in Chicago with their show The Soaring Eagles Spectacle, and winning a Hollywood contract. Grace singlemindedly pursues independence and freedom, as well as thrills and unbridled joy, through her daredevil stunts. Then she crosses paths with Henry Patton, a dashing mechanic, who joins the team and causes her to weigh the risks of being the best in the sky. Their shady competitor, Alistair Rowland, creates obstacles for Grace as he attempts to sabotage her efforts, while returning to Chicago (where Grace lost her family) provides emotional resonance. Trueblood's action-packed first novel explores the post-World War I %C3%A9poque with visceral period detail, and Grace's ambition carries the story about fighting for one's dreams, seeking stability in some form, and a team becoming a family. Ages 12%E2%80%9318. (Mar.)