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Sprouting Wings
  • Published: 30 March 2021
  • ISBN: 9781984847621
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 48
  • RRP: $39.99

Sprouting Wings

The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United States

Formats & editions
EBook
5 Jan 2021
Hardback
30 Mar 2021
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The inspirational and true story of James Herman Banning, the first African American pilot to fly across the country, comes to life in this picture book biography perfect for fans of Hidden Figures and Little Leaders. Includes art from a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator.

The inspirational and true story of James Herman Banning, the first African American pilot to fly across the country, comes to life in this picture book biography perfect for fans of Hidden Figures and Little Leaders. Includes art from a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator.

James Herman Banning always dreamed of touching the sky. But how could a farm boy from Oklahoma find a plane? And how would he learn to fly it? None of the other pilots looked like him. Despite the challenges and prejudices that stood in his way, James knew he belonged above the clouds.

In a journey that would span 3,300 miles, take twenty-one days, and inspire a nation, James Herman Banning proved that you can't put barriers on dreams. Louisa Jaggar incorporates over seven years of research, including Banning's own writings and an interview with the aviator's great-nephew. She teams up with cowriter Shari Becker and award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper to capture Banning's historic flight across the United States.
 
"A pathos-filled picture book that celebrates the life of a figure in American history who hasn't been featured often." -School Library Journal, Starred Review
  • Published: 30 March 2021
  • ISBN: 9781984847621
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 48
  • RRP: $39.99
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About the authors

Floyd Cooper

FLOYD COOPER always dreamed of becoming an artist, and he has now illustrated dozens of books for children, including Jump! (From the Life of Michael Jordan), Back of the Bus, and Max and the Tag-Along Moon. He received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in The Blacker the Berry and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his illustrations in Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea and I Have Heard of a Land. He lives in New Jersey with his family. Learn more about his work at floydcooper.com and follow him on Twitter @floydcooper4.
portrait photo of Floyd Cooper

Praise for Sprouting Wings

Praise for Sprouting Wings:

"A richly illustrated account of the remarkable career of aviation pioneer James Herman Banning."
-Von Hardesty, former curator for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and author of Black Wings: Courageous Stories of African Americans in Aviation and Space History

"An exhilarating story about (African)-American achievement! Sure to captivate and inspire young people, to follow their dreams, begin their journey, push through adversity until they reach their goals." -Jeantique Oriol, actor and star of The Flying Hobos in which he plays James Herman Banning

"An irresistibly inspiring story for all ages." -Kathryn Erskine, author of the National Book Award winner Mockingbird

"Sprouting Wings is the story of a dream, ingenuity, guts, bravery, and determination." -Gary Schmidt, two-time Newbury Honor winner and National Book Award finalist

"This story reminds me of a determined little girl who also took to the skies and became the first African American woman to fly and receive an international license, my great aunt Bessie Coleman!" -Dr. Jilda D. Motley