Daredevil: The Daring Life Of Betty Skelton Read Free Books and Download eBooks
A riveting picture book biography of Betty Skelton, aviation and auto racing pioneer, from award-winning author/illustrator Megan McCarthy.In the 1930s most girls were happy playing with dolls. But one girl, Betty Skelton, liked playing with airplanes, watching them fly around outside, and even flying airplanes herself! She lived for an adventure—in the air, the water, and on land—and nothing could stop her, especially not being a girl. When Betty Skelton was young there weren’t many women flying airplanes or racing cars, but she wouldn’t let that stop her. She was always ready to take on a challenge, and she loved to have fun. Beetty rode motorcycles, raced cars, jumped out of planes, and flew jets, helicoptors, gliders, and blimps. And by the time she was an adult, Betty was known in the press as the “First Lady of Firsts!” This vibrantly illustrated picture book biography reveals the exciting life of a brave pioneer who followed her dreams and showed the world that women can do anything!
Lexile Measure: 640L (What's this?)
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (June 4, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442422629
ISBN-13: 978-1442422629
Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.4 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #214,989 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #69 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Automotive > Racing #110 in Books > Children's Books > Cars, Trains & Things That Go > Planes & Aviation #133 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Sports & Recreation
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
My eight-year-old daughter and I enjoyed this inspiring picture book biography on the "first lady of firsts", Betty Skelton. Betty was born in 1926 and displayed a keen interest in flying from a young age, flying solo at the tender age of twelve, when it wasn't even legal for her to do so! Yet, nothing would stand in the way of Betty's resolve to fly and drive fast cars, and achieve many other feats that were unrivaled for a woman of her time.Betty received her pilot's license at sixteen but though she dearly wished to make flying a career, the cultural conventions of the time did not allow for females to be full-time pilots, so Betty decided to become a stunt pilot instead, performing amazing daredevil feats that seem quite extraordinary even by today's standards! She set some records in flying and then went on to pursue car-racing, breaking the record for women. Betty also became the first female boat jumper and succeeded at many other feats. This woman ran on adrenaline and could not keep still!Betty is a great inspiration to children, especially young girls who dream of attaining great feats of their own. Betty's story is one of determination, of never giving up even in the face of rejection, and of living life to the fullest. The woman drove a Corvette till the day she died! I'm guessing she's having fun even now, somewhere up there:-)
Betty Skelton is one of my favorite pilots...at one time she was billed as the fastest woman on earth because of her feats as a race car driver. I think this book would be very inspiring for little kids...except for one problem. The illustrations - normally so good in these types of books - really let this one down. I prefer at least semi-realistic illustrations - these ones were definitely for kids. Competently done... but just...too childish. Nevertheless, get it for the story.
What a great find for a non-fiction book for K-3. I purchased this book for four second grade teachers. They shared this biography with their students and it was an instant hit. The students loved the idea of a girl pilot and race car driver and shared her disappointment when she could not become an astronaut. All the teachers then looked up Betty Skelton to find more information. Meghan Mc Carthy did a wonderful job making history fun to read and enjoy. With the New Common Core Standards call for more non-fiction reading, Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton should go to the top of your list for read alouds in K-3.
I bought this for a little girl who loves airplanes. The little girl enjoyed the book as did I. I had never heard of Betty Skelton before the book and the book does a great job of recounting her life and what she was like. Recommended.
My little nephew (18 months) LOVES this book. My sister became a private pilot before she was licensed to drive a car, so this book is perfect for our family. The illustrations are beautiful, and he loves to look at the fast cars and planes. The story itself is true and very well written. It is an aspiring tale of young girl (later a woman) who dared to be different. A great read for any boy, girl, or adult!
I bought this book for my three year old because he loves planes, but this book is a true documentary about a girl and her achievements with planes thru her life. For my guy it was long and boring, maybe it would be good for older kids who like planes and history.
My three-year-old boy was interested in this. His big takeaway was that Betty Skelton flew fast and that she flew in her bare feet. It's in the rotation. And he doesn't think it's "for girls!"
Betsy Skelton was known as the "First Lady of Firsts" for having broken so many aviation and automotive records - yet I don't recall having heard of her, and certainly most children haven't. This book fills that gap nicely. It is a straight-forward yet appealing introduction to her life, highlighting her determination and a sampling of her feats of daring-do. Betsy achieved more in the 1940s and 50s than most people of either gender do today, and her daredevil tale makes an impressive read for any kid (and, heck, adults, too!).The text is sprinkled with quotes from Betsy, painting her as a no-nonsense yet down-to-earth kind of gal. The illustrations lend a friendly, comical feel the story, and the backmatter at the end rounds out the tale with interesting details. I enjoyed reading this book with my daughter, but I see how it would be a welcome addition to a school or classroom library and could easily be incorporated into a classroom lesson during, say, Women's History Month. However, Betsy's determination and adventurous spirit are inspirational to us all.
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