Flying Lessons

by Kezi Matthews

In 1937 — the summer that Amelia Earhart disappears — 13-year-old LaMarr’s flamboyant mother, Charmaine, flies off with a stunt pilot and doesn’t return. Sent to live with an aunt and uncle, LaMarr awaits her mother’s return while attempting to track down her long-lost father. A crusty old man, a former Teddy Roosevelt Rough Rider, befriends her. The old man’s friendship and wisdom help LaMarr finally accept the probability that her mother is gone forever. Kezi Matthews was the recipient of a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year for John Riley's Daughter. “Matthews ... sees all her characters, even the most deeply flawed, with a compassionate eye.” — Kirkus Reviews

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2002

Reviews

[Susan Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kezi Matthews once said that she thought about her books for a long time and then wrote them in an uninterrupted burst of writing that lasted six weeks or so. I marvel how anyone could create so lovely a book in so short a time. LaMarr Conroy is a touching and memorable character, and her story contains those one-of-a-kind details that make a book seem utterly real.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story. The author is great with details and really develop the story.