Module 11: Night Flight

Image retrieved from simonandschuster.com

Book Summary: This book tells the story of Amelia Earhart's first solo trans-Atlantic flight through poetic language (not poetry, just very expressive language) and full-color paintings. It begins with the time and date of her takeoff (May 20, 1932 at 7:12 p.m.), highlighting her nerves and excitement. Throughout the story, Amelia's feelings of uncertainty, adventure, and courage are accentuated. The pictures help tell the story as well. Little details about Amelia's life and personality are interspersed throughout the book, painting her as an adventurous pioneer who loved to try new things, such as ride horses bareback. The story describes her view from the air as she crossed the Atlantic alone, discussing what her thoughts were like and how and why she strove to be seen as equal in a man's world, doing what were traditionally thought of as masculine things. Soon, she encounters a storm, and the author tells Amelia's hair-raising experience getting through it, detail by detail. As Amelia narrowly escapes an accidental ocean landing, we stay with her as she perseveres through the wee hours of the morning, finally spots the Irish coastline, and chooses an open pasture to land in, much to the surprise of the farmer, and exits the plane, jubilant and triumphant. An afterword gives a brief biography of Amelia, as well as a bibliography and quotes from Amelia.

APA Reference:
Burleigh, R. (2011). Night flight: Amelia Earhart crosses the Atlantic. W. Minor (ill. ). New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Impressions: I thought this book was a captivating, beautifully written and painted way to tell the story of Amelia Earhart's first solo flight across the Atlantic, not only for her, but for any woman. I also thought it was great to read a triumphant story about Earhart, because so often all anyone remembers about her was that she disappeared in the middle of the Pacific. I also thought it was great how the author included tons of information about Amelia being daring and being a feminist without beating readers over the head with it, or even mentioning it outright, allowing Amelia to lead by example even posthumously. What struck me most about this book, other than the inspirational story of such a strong woman, was the language used to tell her story, which was so far removed from the dry, textbook-style language so often found in informational books. I think this book would be a great one to use for lessons on sensory language.

Professional Review (from Horn Book Guide):
"Burleigh's vivid free-verse account of Earhart's 1932 flight from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland, the first-ever solo transantlantic flight by a woman, settles into the cockpit and describes what the legendary pilot might have seen and felt during that long, tense, and exhilarating trip. Minor's paintings heighten the immediacy, depicting Earhart's blazing red Vega in both long shots and close-ups. Websites. Bio."

Heppermann, C.M. (2011). Burleigh, Robert: Night flight: Amelia Earhart crosses the Atlantic [Review of the book, Night flight: Amelia Earhart crosses the Atlantic by R. Burleigh]. Horn Book Guide, 22(2), 466.

Library Uses: This could be a great book to use for Women's History Month. It could easily be read aloud in the library, and then students could research other historical women and either write or paint/draw about them. Student products could be displayed in the library and throughout the school building in celebration of women's history. An extension of this activity could be students researching and presenting about ways women can be strong today, and perhaps even acting on some of these ideas (writing letters to elected representatives, volunteering in the community, etc.).