First Flight: The Story of Tom Tate and the Wright Brothers

I Can Read: Level 4

by George Shea, Don Bolognese (Illustrator)

This Level Four I Can Read book is a perfect bridge to chapter books for elementary-grade kids—and it introduces the thrilling story of the Wright Brothers, flight pioneers. It's also an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 5 to 7 who are ready to read independently. It’s a fun way to keep your child engaged and as a supplement for activity books for children.



When Tom Tate hears that Wilbur and Orville Wright are building a flying machine, he can't wait to try it. Tom's dad thinks it's dangerous. Some people think the Wrights are crazy. Can Tom help the brothers get their dream off the ground?

"Children will identify with the spirit of this boy who enthusiastically volunteered to try out the glider when there wasn't enough wind to lift the grown men," commented School Library Journal, which also praised the "carefully researched" illustrations.

First Flight helps build reading confidence and pleasure while engaging young readers with compelling historical fiction.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, School, Childrens, American History

48 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

About the author

George Shea is a children's writer and environmental journalist. His most recent non-fiction book is a biography of Rachel Carson: "Rachel Carson, Founder of the Environmental Movement." He is currently writing a biography of global warming pioneer, Charles David Keeling (1928-2005) of Keeling Curve fame, and sees strong parallels between Keeling and Carson. "Rachel Carson woke the world up to the fact that the environment was vulnerable and could be damaged, even destroyed by human activity. Less than a decade later, Keeling accomplished the same thing relative to global warming with his measurements that showed the relentless growth of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."

He also enjoys writing about inventors. His "First Flight, the Story of Tom Tate and the Wright Brothers," tells the true story of young Tom Tate, a Kitty Hawk boy who befriended Wilbur and Orville and became a 12-year-old test pilot when the Wrights sent him up in their first experimental glider.

George lives in Studio City, California, with his wife, Martha Stevens, a writer and professional storyteller. In 2009, George and Martha's play, "Seeds," a retelling of the myth of Persephone, was read at Fordham Lincoln Center.

Reviews

[Samantha Ocampo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was such a great beginning chapter book for children. Not only is it a picture, chapter book, it also contains a true story of Tom Tate and the Wright brothers and how they were able to discover flying. The overall theme is problem solving because throughout the chapters, when one idea wouldn't work, they would come up with another until they figured out what they needed to do. I thought that the illustrations also went along well with the story because they were able to help with the emotions and explanations of what was going on between all of the different people there. I would highly recommend this book to someone who is starting out chapter books, wants to know more about where flying started or even some of the best ways to go about problem solving.

[Jonny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for more advanced third-graders and it tells a story that's loosely rooted in history. It's Wright Brothers' story, but this time with the mention of a young boy named Tom. It's effective because Tom is roughly the age of the book's target audience. It's recommended, though it lacks girl characters, which could be isolating for some.

[Noah Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the wright brothers.

[Elizabeth Hands]

Tom Tate hears that Wilbur and Orville Wright are building a flying machine and he can't wait to try it. Tom's dad thinks it's dangerous and some people think the brothers are crazy. Will Tom be able to help the brothers get their dream off the ground? I enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting and very educational. I would recommend this book to children 5 to 8 who love building things and using their minds to make things work. There are no diverse characters.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Readers have changed a lot since Dick and Jane romped with Spot. I especially like the nonfiction bios. The subject matter is generally interesting and the kids are impressed that it's 'true,' not pretend.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very educational book

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

F and p level K

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory biography

[Kambry Burns]

My favorite part of this book is hte end when they land the plane, and the dad explains that he did not think the boys would make it. This shows that they overcame a lot of doubt.

[Joshua Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because you should never give up even when you feel like you can’t go on. And I think that any one can read it.🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜❤️😜😎😂😊🍔

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the story starts with Tom’s typical day fishing on an average day at the beach; this allows young readers to relate with the character early on.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good rendering of the Wright Brother's attempts to fly at Kitty Hawk; and from the perspective of the boy that assisted them. He and his father would assist the brothers with provisions, sleeping accommodations, and even flying!

(Parent: if you're interested in learning more, David McCullough's "The Wright Brothers" was a fabulous read!)

Reading Level: 2nd - 3rd grades

Cleanliness: a boy is told to stay away from the Wright brothers and he disobeys. The word "bl**dy" is used to describe lots of blood.

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Linda Branich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Level 4, I Can Read Book ( 'the perfect bridge to chapter books") is a great fictional biography that should appeal widely to kids about 8-10 years old.

Tom Tate was born in Kitty Hawk, NC and met the Wright Brothers when they were first testing glider planes. Tom even got to ride in one! Each year Will and Orv came back, Tom and his Dad helped the two young men. Tom witnessed the historic engine-powered flight in December 1903.

The illustrations in this book are fairly accurate of the clothing, hairstyles, moustaches, gliders and plane of the times. There is just enough technical explanation of the wings and controls for the intended age of the readers, without going beyond their maturity level or being overwhelming.

TWO THUMBS UP!

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day in 1900, Tom Tate sees a big tent pitched on the beach at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. He walks over to talk to the two men by the tent and meets Wilbur and Orville Wright. They tell Tom that they are building a flying machine. The next day, Tom gets a chance to ride in the machine that flies like a kite. At the end of the summer, the Wright brothers return to Ohio to build a bigger flying machine. By September of 1903, Wilbur and Orville are ready to construct an engine powered machine. On December 17, 1903, Tom watches as the Wright brothers fly the first self-propelled flying machine on the beach at Kitty Hawk.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story about a young boy who met Orville and Wilbur Wright during their numerous attempts to test their aircraft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. I marked the story as historical fiction, but the story is based on actual people and their experiences.

The narrative is short and is a good book for children who are just beginning to read chapter books. The illustrations are colorful and help depict the times when the events took place. We really enjoyed reading this story together.

[Hannah Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book told about the Wright Brothers from a kid's point of view. It was also very historical and accurate as there actually was a kid named Tom Tate who helped the Wright Brothers and followed them along their journey of creating the first airplane. It was a very easy read that I think a lot of children would be interested in.

[Jonathan Asif · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favorite thing in my Wright brothers book is when Orville gets into the plane and starts the engine and at first the plane is slow but when it gets going it goes faster and then the plane gets off the ground.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the Wright Brothers who invented the first airplane. There is a little kid Tom who helps them. The book takes place in Kitty Hawk North Carolina. It's the same place where we went for the beach trip. Ethan

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

MCL. Will and Orv Wright made the first airplane.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a little boy meeting the Wright brothers as they perform their first flight tests. Read aloud 5-8, read alone 6-9

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction for 1st-2nd grade. It was fine, does a pretty good job setting the stage (I like that the year was stated at the beginning of each chapter) and explaining the event.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

The children (two 6-year-old boys) enjoyed this one more than I did. I found the writing style a little too simplistic for the kind of kids' book it was supposed to be. The boys loved the story.

[K.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

We will be visiting Kitty Hawk this summer.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

🥰🥰🥰

[Mas5thgrade2012]

this book is a book tells me that nothing is impossible.
-cutienumber1