NONFICTION

Cleared for Takeoff: The Ultimate Book of Flight

by Rowland WHITE
illus. by Patrick Mulrey. 272p. chart. further reading. photos. Chronicle. Oct. 2016. Tr $21.99. ISBN 9781452135502.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–8—This detailed history of flight will delight readers with everything a budding aviation enthusiast needs to dive into this fascinating topic, including poems, essays, fact cards, and even a few flight-based experiments. White discusses flying for pleasure and for the military. While the writing is directed at more sophisticated readers, the brief essays, such as "Dead Heat: The Zeppelin Race," would make for an appropriate read-aloud in classrooms. With lovely artwork, photos (with blueprints), an engrossing narrative, and compelling facts, this volume will undoubtedly find an audience in school libraries. One caveat: as the author provides few direct citations, those looking for research texts might consider other titles, such as DK's Flight: The Complete History.
VERDICT A great addition to middle school libraries seeking an engaging overview of the history of aviation.
Reviewed by Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA
While this hefty book contains a plethora of information regarding flight, it doesn't quite live up to "ultimate." The topics covered vary nicely, the text is informative, and graphics (including photos, diagrams, maps, and art) are handsomely presented. However, the book's structure and organization is haphazard, and there's no index to help with navigation. Still, aviation connoisseurs will enjoy perusing it.
 , Oct 01, 2016

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