Into the Air: The Story of the Wright Brothers' First Flight

by Robert Burleigh, Bill Wylie (Illustrations)

It is early in the twentieth century, and, to most, the idea of human flight is ludicrous--with good reason. There have been many failed flying attempts. Still, the Wright brothers will not let their dreams die. They brave heavy winds and rain, sandstorms, and tough crashes--all in an effort to build the first successful flying machine.
In this engaging and dynamic graphic novel format, award-winning author Bob Burleigh has collaborated with Bill Wylie to re-create a gripping tale of trial, error, and, ultimately, triumph.

Genres: Biography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels

48 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

Over the past 35 years, I have published poems, reviews, essays, many filmstrips and videos, and more than 40 children's picture books.

Born and raised in Chicago, I graduated from DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana) and later received an MA in humanities from the University of Chicago. I've published books for children since the early 1990s. My books - including numerous unpublished ones! - run a broad gamut, from stories geared for pre-schoolers to survival stories and biographies aimed at seven to eleven-year-olds. My work is wide-ranging because, basically, I'm a generalist by experience - and inclination!

In addition to writing, I paint regularly under the art name Burleigh Kronquist and have shown work in one-person and group shows in Chicago, New York, and elsewhere around the country.

-from robertburleigh.com

Reviews

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know much about the weight brothers

[Muhammad · Rating 1 out of 5]

soo badd dont buy it it has cheap quality and can get ripped easily

[Shaundell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilbur and Orville Wright, two brothers who live in Dayton, Ohio, own a bike shop. One day, while reading the Dayton newspaper, the headlines stated the Otto Lilienthal, a German pilot, crashed and died while he was testing one of his gliders. This interested the brothers and they begin to do some research. Inspired by their father and their younger sister, they began to read everything they could find about flying and ended up creating their first glider in the back room of their bicycle shop. Then in the fall of 1900 they left for Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to test the glider to see how it would work. After their first testing went well, they continued their research and built several more gliders over the following years. In the winter of 1902, they even built their own motor to add to a glider. On December 17, 1902, the Wright brothers made history by flying 852 feet in 59 seconds! Impressed by their record, they sent a telegraph home to their father and Katharine. While traveling home, they begin to image all the possible ways their invention would change the world: “Folks will be able to visit each other all around the country; The mail will be delivered faster; Planes will stop wars because people will see what each side is planning so no one will be able to attack and fight.”

[Cesally Shermam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel tells the tale of how in 1903 Wilbur and Orville Wright started out in their bike shop and then moved on to working three years until they finally reach their ultimate goal in taking flight. I gave this book a five out of five because it is exciting and fun due to the brother's yearning for success. The dominant themes of the book would include remembering to never lose hope and perseverance. The age book I think would be 11.

[Kathy Ellen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool!
I love graphic novels that teach about history,
and this one is no exception.

A great overview of what the Wright brothers did,
including playing guitar and harmonica (I didn't know that bit!)

Nice story and great illustrations.
Kids will love it!

[:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the graphic novel tipe of books. I liked this book because it was nonfiction on the Wright brothers and their first flight.