NONFICTION

You Can Fly: The Tuskegee Airmen

illus. by Jeffery Boston Weatherford. 96p. S. & S./Atheneum. May 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781481449380.
COPY ISBN
Gr 5 Up—This distinctive collection of verses lets readers journey with the African American men who dreamed of flying despite racist attitudes. Through 33 poems, readers will travel beside these determined men as they become pilots and fight not only the Nazis, but prejudice as well. For those who have never studied this time period, this book sheds light on the Tuskegee Airmen through stories filled with authentic voices and hard truths. For those who already know of the Airmen's accomplishments, the book offers a more personal connection to the men and their ideas and feelings through poems such as "Operation Prove Them Wrong" and "No Hero's Welcome," which demonstrate that despite their proven skill and heroism, the aviators were still denied acceptance and respect. Scratchboard illustrations by the author's son bring the subject to life.
VERDICT A unique and very readable addition to supplement black history and World War II collections.

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