Ida Mae Jones dreams of fl ight. Her daddy was a pilot and being black didnat stop him from fulfilling his dreams. But her daddyas gone now, and being a woman, and being black, are two strikes against her.

When America enters the war with Germany and Japan, the Army creates the WASP, the Womenas Airforce Service Pilotsaand Ida suddenly sees a way to fl y as well as do something signifi cant to help her brother stationed in the Pacific. But even the WASP wonat accept her as a black woman, forcing Ida Mae to make a difficult choice of apassing,a of pretending to be white to be accepted into the program. Hiding oneas racial heritage, denying oneas family, denying oneas self is a heavy burden. And while Ida Mae chases her dream, she must also decide who it is she really wants to be.

"Smith (Lucy the Giant) brings a gripping perspective to bear upon a lesser-known piece of America's past: during WWII, the government recruited women pilots to fly non-combat missions, e.g., ferrying planes. Driven by a desire to fly and wanting to help her enlisted brother, Ida Mae decides to pass as white so she can join the program. The author has an expert grasp on her subject, and readers will learn plenty about the Women Airforce Service Pilots, from their impractical uniforms to the dangerous missions they flew without reward. Ida Mae's unique point of view gives her special insight into the often poor treatment of women: when a pilot friend gets frustrated by a stunt they are asked to perform, Ida realizes, 'Lily's just finding out what I've been living with my whole life. She's never known what it was like to be hobbled by somebody else's rules.' Key scenes demonstrate how much Ida has sacrificed by passing, as when her much darker mother visits her on Christmas and, la Imitation of Life, poses as the family housekeeper. Although this book feels constructed to educate, readers will find the lesson well crafted. Ages 12 — up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Like Brother, Ida Mae Jones must define courage for herself. When her older brother enlists during World War II, Ida Mae yearns to do more than just hoard sugar, clean houses and work on her family's strawberry farm. Her father, a crop duster with his own plane, had taught her to fly before he died, and she decides to join the newly formed WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). But with the country... Washington Post Book Review (read the entire Washington Post review) and the military so segregated, Ida Mae must take a big risk and pass for white — a path her light-skinned father had rejected in the New Orleans of his youth.

Careful research informs this story of a young woman struggling against racism and sexism to follow her dreams. Author Sherri Smith takes us into the cockpit of a PT-19A trainer, past the "Whites Only" signs in stores and on target-towing duty in the sky. Even as she meets new challenges and makes new friends, Ida Mae hopes one day to merge her WASP and "colored girl" identities. A dynamic, heartfelt novel.

Mary Quattlebaum is a children's author who contributes frequently to The Washington Post Book World.

Reviewed by Mary Quattlebaum, Washington Post Book World (Copyright 2006 Washington Post Book World Service/Washington Post Writers Group)
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When America enters World War II, the Army creates the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASP). Having always dreamed of flying, Ida Mae Jones, a young African-American woman, suddenly sees a way to fly as well as do something significant to help her brother stationed in the Pacific.