Ruth Law Thrills a Nation

by Don Brown

"On November 19, 1916, Ruth Law tried to fly from Chicago to New York City in one... read more

"On November 19, 1916, Ruth Law tried to fly from Chicago to New York City in one day. It had never been done before." She had practiced for the cold by sleeping on the roof of a hotel. Although she wore woolen and leather pant suits while flying, in public she covered these flying garments with a skirt because of the conventions dictating what women should wear. Even though she set a record that day by flying a 500-mile nonstop lap, neither Ruth Law nor that feat is well known today because darkness came while New York City was still two hours away. Brown's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations reproduced in full color provide a strong sense of the woman and the flight. His first published book reads aloud with grace and its 8 1/4" by 10 3/8" size invites hands-on interest. (Ages 4-8)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 1993

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