Born to Fly tells the story of eleven-year-old tomboy Bird McGill. Ever since she can remember, Bird has loved flying in small propeller air...
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Oct 21, 2010
Robert
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To read an interview with author Michael Ferrari, or to read other interviews with writers and literary agents, log onto my blog at www.middlegradeninja.blogspot.com.
Born to Fly is a an extemely enjoyable adventure novel that stars a girl, but which will be loved by both boys and girls. Ferrari’s writing is wonderful throughout and I have a number of great excerpts to share with you. To start with, here is the novel's first sentence:
Just because I was a girl in 1941, don’ More...
Born to Fly is a an extemely enjoyable adventure novel that stars a girl, but which will be loved by both boys and girls. Ferrari’s writing is wonderful throughout and I have a number of great excerpts to share with you. To start with, here is the novel's first sentence:
Just because I was a girl in 1941, don’ More...
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Oct 10, 2009
Brenda
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Bird McCall is an eleven-year-old girl in the 1940s who has dreams of one day flying an airplane. Her father supports her dream but others in town feel believe Bird just has a really vivid imagination. After all, she is the same person who swears she flew up onto a roof and talks about the monster named Genny who she claims lives in the water and eats fisherm
Later, a young Japanese-American boy named Kenji arrives in town to live with his uncle while his parents are "away." More...
Later, a young Japanese-American boy named Kenji arrives in town to live with his uncle while his parents are "away." More...
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Aug 14, 2009
Kim
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Gr 4-7-Bird McGill regards her dad as her best friend. He takes her up in the planes he repairs and lets her take the controls, and he encourages her dream of becoming a pilot. But a special bulletin disrupts her 11th-birthday afternoon: Japan has attacked the military base in Pearl Harbor, and Bird's world is turned upside down. During the next few months, the local airstrip is turned into a military flight school, and her dad is shipped overseas. When a Japanese-American boy joins Bird's class
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Oct 27, 2009
Kelly
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Set in Rhode Island during the early years of World War II, Born to fly tells the story of Bird (Belinda), an eleven-year-old girl who dreams of one day becoming a fighter pilot. Bird gets flying lessons from her dad before he enlists and joins the Air Corps, but before he leaves, he gives her a copy of a P-40 Warhawk flying manual. She studies this book relentlessly before the town's new deputy confiscates it before it falls into enemy hands. Bird's love of aircraft sparks her friendship (in
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Dec 21, 2010
Tanja
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I simply love historical fiction - and this one even more because it comes with a strong and courageous female protagonist. Who wouldn't want to read about an eleven-year old girl who loves nothing more than flying, who makes some unbelieveably scary and worrying discoveries and who eventually has to risk her life to save not only a friend but an important public figure (won't spoil this by telling you who...)? This is a book filled with action and adventure while providing interesting backgroun
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Dec 16, 2009
Holly
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My new favorite "girl power" book for the 8-11 ages. Non-stop action!
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Nov 29, 2009
Sandra
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Bird Mcgill loves to fly. She is only eleven years old. Her father repairs airplanes. On her birthday her father lets her try to land the plane. She almost does it. Dad has to step in and help out. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Bird's father finds himself drafted. To make matters worse for Bird a new boy has joined her class. His name is Kenji. The two of them become friends and have joined forces to find a spy. The book was full of historical information. Most of the students I teach don't
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Feb 23, 2011
Mr. Steve
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Really, really enjoyed this book. I found the protagonists to be realistic and worthy. Bird is a girl many girls could relate to, and children enjoy cheering for somebody like Kenji - a good person who is treated badly for no good reason. To top it off, it is a bit of a mystery, along with action and adventure (and historical fiction). There are not many heroines in children's literature like Bird and that makes this book a great choice. But it does have an interest to boys too, as it deals with
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May 01, 2010
Melanie
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A good historical fiction with some mystery and action. Female protagonist is unique in that she is obsessed with planes... touches on issues of civil rights, freedom and racism and prejudice, towards Japanese during WWII. Main character has a good voice and is a spunky, likeable character. Suitable for mid-upper elementary.
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Jan 17, 2012
Bird McGill, an eleven-year-old tomboy obsessed with flying in 1942, withholds judgement while her classmates maintain that new Japanese American student Kenji Fujita is a spy, but she realizes Kenji is just as American as she is when they find evidence of real spy activity during their research for a class project.
Feb 02, 2010
Patsi
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Although this book gives an intriguing look at life along the U.s.'s North Atlantic coast during World War II, I was sometimes disappointed in the plotting and characterization. Even so, young readers probably would enjoy the drama and suspense. Also, it's nice to have a book that features a girl who can fly planes
Aug 26, 2009
Mary
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Michael Ferrari's first book, Born to Fly, is wonderful. Bird, her family, and friends are well defined. The book contains elements of racism, sexism, and espionage - all written for middle grade youth. Set in 1941 the author manages to give the reader the flavor of the era as well as the personality elements that are ageless. I believe Michael is destined to be a highly successful writer. Good job, Michael
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May 20, 2010
melissa1lbr
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I started out really loving this one - a spunky main character who doesn't quite fit in because she's unconventional. I still loved it when she met another person who didn't fit in either and started learning about prejudice. The intrigues and action that followed kept me interested. However, the ending began to feel very far-fetched to me, and I stopped thinking it was plausible after a while. Still enjoyed it for the most part, but found the ending didn't quite satisfy. Full review at One
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Dec 01, 2009
Shelley
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I thought I was going to love this one - action adventure in the homefront of WW2, right up my alley. But honestly, I could barely skim it. The writing style is very distant, like she's writing about her childhood several decades later. The voice is too mature, beyond precocious, and makes too many adult observations. The action never caught my attention and I was able to predict the ending from the opening chapters. Disappointing.
Feb 06, 2012
Joan
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It might not be realistic from an army or war point of view, but it is a true adventure with a true hero - Bird McGill. Ending let's young readers use their imaginations and dig deep within themselves for meaning.
Nov 09, 2011
Joellen
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Great text to use along with Baseball Saved Us, The Bracelet and others that deal with this sensitive issue. It has everything, bullying, gender issues, and a mystery to boot! Boys and girls will love.
Nov 06, 2009
Melissa
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Aside from being a bit over the top and unbelievable, it accomplished the author's goals: it was an adventure story where the girl did all the work, and she actually did fly an airplane. So there.
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Nov 18, 2011
Chloe'
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This is a battle book, so far this girl's father has gone to war, and she's always wanted to fly a type of plane. when no one shows uo to her birthday party, bad things start to happen.
Feb 04, 2010
Jason
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If you can enjoy the ride, enjoy it. I found it stretched my suspension of disbelief much too far.
Oct 09, 2009
North Olmsted
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World War II story set in the United States and written by local author Michael Ferrari.
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Feb 08, 2012
