School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-A decade before Amelia Earhart entered the public's consciousness, Ruth Law (1887-1970) was performing stunts at aerial shows. By 1916, she "longed to fly to get somewhere.somewhere far away." Emphasizing Law's competitive and risk-taking nature, Lang builds suspense with comparisons and questions. Victor Carlstrom had recently set the record for the longest nonstop American flight (Chicago to Erie, PA) in a much larger machine than Law's Curtiss biplane. Would the young aviator have enough fuel capacity to accomplish her goal: flying from Chicago to New York City? Children will be awestruck at the image of the vulnerable pilot, with no cockpit protection from the wind and low temperatures, steering with her hands and feet, and navigating with a compass and a map box strapped to her legs. Law set a record in the face of so many unknowns-though she was forced to stop in Binghamton, NY, before making it to New York City. Quotes, distinguished by a colorful, cursive font and cited in source notes, add vitality and inspiration. Back matter includes photographs and further biographical details. Colón's harmonious palette is comprised, appropriately, of blues, yellows, and greens; his signature etched lines provide additional energy. He maintains interest by shifting perspectives and changing the color of the light. VERDICT A worthy successor to Don Brown's out of print Ruth Law Thrills a Nation (HMH, 1993), this title underscores the pilot's achievement and conveys her exhilaration.-Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In November 1916, Ruth Law added three extra gas tanks to her small biplane and attempted a one-day flight from Chicago to New York City. Colón's etched artwork, glowing in autumnal yellows, shows Law flying above the Midwestern landscape (her vessel may remind readers more of their own bicycles than of modern planes). Law's quiet confidence allays harrowing moments, and although she didn't reach New York City before nightfall, she took off from Binghamton, N.Y., the following morning, eventually circling around the Statue of Liberty and being welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd. Lang (The Original Cowgirl) keeps the focus on Law's determination, while a closing description of "icicles dangl[ing] from her hair" is a visceral reminder of the daring of her feat. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator's agency: Morgan Gaynin. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* It's true: When Ruth Law made up her mind, there was no use trying to stop her. With tenacious aplomb, Law announced that she would fly from Chicago to New York in one day a distance, in 1916, that had never before been attempted. Never mind that Law's longest stretch until then was 25 miles, nor that her flimsy flying machine only held 16 gallons when she needed hundreds; she would simply make a few adjustments and get going. That she was a woman had naysayers shouting impossible, but on a windy November morning, Law flew off to make history: I wouldn't give a cent for any experience that didn't scare me a little. This is Lang's third title celebrating courageous, barrier-breaking women who deserve to be better known. Here Lang gives Law ample opportunity to voice her own words, enhancing most pages with Law's quotes in a cursive blue font. Colón's signature pointillist style produces a warm, autumnal palette of golds and browns and is an ideal complement to Lang's text, allowing for both detailed close-ups and vast landscapes. Together, Lang and Colón ensure Law a magnificent, long-overdue flight from history straight into the present.--Hong, Terry Copyright 2016 Booklist
