The first American woman to receive a pilot’s license was a newspaper writer named Harriet Quimby. This spirited, fictionalized, first-person narrative tells of that feat, and of Harriet’s determination to be the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel. Friend and fellow pilot Gustav Hamel discourages Harriet, offering to fly disguised as her so she can claim the credit. But Harriet responds, “ 'A hero’s welcome for a fraud! No thank you! You may be worried about what I can do but I’m not!’” Harriet was successful in her attempt, finding the experience of flying over water beautiful and exhilarating. However, her claim to fame was lost in the furor over another huge news story that occurred the same day — the sinking of the Titanic. The full-color illustrations show Harriet’s flight from ever-changing perspectives. (Ages 5–8)

On a clear morning in 1912, Harriet Quimby had a vision--she would become the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel. If she were to veer off course by even five miles, she could end up in the North Sea, never to be heard from again. But she took the risk, anyway.
Bestselling author Marissa Moss and award-winning artist C. F. Payne team up to tell this little-known historic story of a spirited woman who dared to take flight.