Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar
Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant
Genre: Historical Fiction
Suggested Age: Teens and Adults
What is This Book About: This novel was inspired by real female pilots during World War II. Salazar tells the story of these heroic women through her main character, Audrey Coltrane, and her friends. The story begins when Audrey, who learned to fly from her father at a small Texas airfield, and three other women meet as flight trainers in Hawaii. Audrey, whose first love is flying, intends to work until she has the funds to purchase the small airfield near her home in Texas. She has no interest in the traditional female pursuits of husband and family. She does, however, develop a strong friendship with Lieutenant James Hart. All is well until December 7, 1941 when Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. Tragedy occurs and the flight trainers return stateside to recover. Audrey’s love of flying continues and when an opportunity to join the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots presents itself, she jumps at the chance to support the war effort. Audrey and the other women pilots of WASP transport and test planes for the military, thereby freeing the men of the US Air Force to serve in the war effort. Strong bonds of friendship develop among the women as they perform often dangerous work. Audrey stays in touch throughout the war with Lieutenant Hart but then James’ plane is shot down and he goes missing somewhere near the border between France and Germany. In December 1944, the Air Force unexpectedly ends the WASP’s transport program and the women are sent home to their former lives. Audrey heads back to Texas to buy and run her beloved airfield, but also realizes that she needs to help find her friend James. The story ends with her search.
My Review: I absolutely loved this book. Salazar’s storytelling technique is fast moving and spell-binding. For a first-time author, I would rate Salazar’s book as A+! One of the most interesting aspects of this story was the use of characterization. Audrey and other women were such well developed characters that you truly bonded with them. These women became my friends, not just characters in a book. As a result of this, the emotional impact of events was very powerful. The story keeps the reader’s attention. I was also very interested in the history that the book presents. I knew that women stepped up and helped with the war effort during World War II, but I did not know about the various flying programs that women pilots were involved in. Salazar sheds light on a little-known piece of history and through her excellent characterization tells a story of courageous women in dangerous times.
Give This a Try if you Like…Fly Girls by Keith O’Brien or Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini
Three Words That Describe This Book: Engrossing, Emotional, Educational
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
