Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Ida Mae Jones was born to fly, just like her father. But two things stand in her way: she’s female and African American. When she learns that she might be able to fly through the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) program, her excitement rises until she realizes that they won’t take her because of her race. so she takes advantage of her light skin to pass as white. Throughout her training and assignments, she makes friends and loves flying but is tormented by the lie she is living. Smith does and outstanding job of telling Ida Mae’s story, from the sheer joy of flying, the fear of discovery, and the shame of denying her family and who she is. Overall, this provides an excellent picture of Jim Crow and women during World War II. An Author’s Note provides additional details of this little known WASP.