Discover a thrilling moment in history when pioneering aviator Ruth Law attempted to do what no other aviator had done before: fly nonstop from Chicago to New York.
On November 19, 1916, at 8:25 a.m., Ruth Law took off on a flight from Chicago to New York City that aviation experts thought was doomed. Sitting at the controls of her small bi-plane, exposed to the elements, Law battled fierce winds and numbing cold. When her engine ran out of fuel, she glided for two miles and landed at Hornell, New York. Even though she fell short of her goal, she had broken the existing cross-country distance record. And with her plane refueled, she got back in the air and headed for New York City where crowds waited to greet her. This story is perfect to share during Women's History Month or anytime during the year!
Heather Lang loves researching and writing children’s books that celebrate our natural world and biographies about determined people who overcome extraordinary obstacles to follow their passions.
Her award-winning titles include Queen of the Track: Alice Coachman, Olympic High-Jump Champion; Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine; and The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest—an NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book and Green Earth Book Award winner. She is also the coauthor of the Animal Heroes series, the first of which, Supermoms!, was a Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year.
To research her books, Heather has observed wildlife in the Serengeti and Madagascar, explored the treetops of the Amazon rainforest, and gone scuba diving with sharks.
Her new middle-grade nonfiction book, For the Love of Animals: How Twelve Conservationists Turned Passion into Action, features inspiring wildlife champions from around the world.
Heather lives in Lexington, MA. Learn more about her books and discover lots of activities and resources at heatherlangbooks.com.
