Higher, Steeper, Faster: The Daredevils Who Conquered the Skies

Gr 4 Up—Goldstone, author of the adult title Birdmen: The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle To Control the Skies, ventures into books for young people for the first time. What follows is an overview of early aviation history, with a focus on the exploits of record setters including Lincoln J. Beachey, Glenn Curtiss, Emory Malick, and Harriet Quimby. By expanding the scope beyond familiar figures such as the Wright brothers, Goldstone brings the legends behind death-defying acts to life, exploring how competition can lead to innovation. For instance, most early pilots built or tweaked their own aircraft. The writing style is engaging, and students curious about flight will appreciate the read. Though the chapters are somewhat linked, each one could also work as a stand-alone resource for reports or as a classroom read-aloud. The progression of aviation technology connects well with STEM curricula and could inspire experiments or projects that continue the "research" of the daredevils whose achievements fill the volume. The use of black-and-white photos will likely deter younger readers, making this selection best suited for middle schoolers.