Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

Fleming, Candace. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart. 2011. Schwartz and Wade Books, 118 pages. $18.99 ISBN: 978-0-375-84198-0

Plot Summary:

Amelia Lost recounts the life of the famous female aviatrix, Amelia Earhart. Earhart was born in Kansas on July 24, 1897. Earhart’s parents indulged her tomboy behavior and interest in athletics. So, in 1920 when Amelia announced she was going to take flying lessons, her parents did not stand in her way, despite their concern about the dangers of flying. In 1920 airplanes were still rudimentary and navigational tools were almost nonexistent and airstrips few and far between. These factors and several others made flying perilous.

In 1928, Earhart became the first woman to make a trans-Atlantic flight, though she did not actually pilot the plane, it was still an important first for women. It was the beginning of Earhart’s aviation career and fame. It was also when Earhart met her future husband, George Putnam, who worked tirelessly to promote Earhart’s career. Over the next 9 years, Earhart set several aviation records, piloting her own plane. She was constantly setting new challenges for herself until her disappearance in 1937 on her round the world flight.

Review:

Fleming quickly hooks her reader by introducing her book with an account of Earhart’s last hours. Fleming recounts Amelia’s life chronologically, but between chapters she inserts updates about the search for Amelia directly after her disappearance that she introduced in the beginning of the book. This tactic keeps the reader interested and the drama high. Amelia Lost is an intriguing and page turning biography of the pioneering woman. In her own time Earhart encouraged and inspired young women to challenge themselves and follow their dreams. Fleming’s well researched biography is sure bring Earhart’s inspiring character to a new generation of girls.

Genre:

Non-fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level:

Grades 5 to 7/Grades 5 to 11

Awards/Honors:

ALA Notable Children’s Book 2012

Author’s Website:

http://www.candacefleming.com/