Plot Summary - This biography of Orville and Wilbur Wright uses the brothers' own journals and drawings to tell the story of the first time a person flew in a heavier-than-air machine. It discusses the successes and struggles that these brothers encountered during their inventing years.
Personal Reaction - I found it interesting that these brothers were such good friends, business partners, and inventors. They were always defending their inventions and protecting the rights to their own work. They spent a lot of time keeping people from stealing their ideas.
Memorable Literary Element - This book comes from the brothers own letters, notebooks, and diaries. It is an informative quick read.
Illustrations - The photographs in the book were taken from the Smithsonian Institute and the National Air and Space Museum.
Review - School Library Journal Gr 3-6-Another serviceable biography makes its appearance in time for the Wright centennial. This solid, if somewhat stodgy offering, with its up-front definition of primary and secondary sources, is useful for young researchers. Because the Wrights left so much behind in the form of letters, notes, and interviews, Sullivan, like other biographers, had much material to draw from. He methodically tells the story of these famous brothers in simple, straightforward language. Although he is all business, nice descriptive touches sneak in like this reference to Kitty Hawk: "Winter was now close at hand. Each morning the water in the washbasin was frozen." The text is liberally sprinkled with appropriate photographs and on every five or six pages a slight margin of handwriting appears-a reminder of the reliance on primary sources. A listing of museums that provide booklets and packets of information is appended. A good choice for reports, this book's traditional style makes it a plus for readers who could be distracted by too much glitz.-Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Promotion - This book can be used as a resource when studying great American inventors/inventions. Below is a link to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Teachers can find information on lessons involving aviation.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Lessons
Personal Reaction - I found it interesting that these brothers were such good friends, business partners, and inventors. They were always defending their inventions and protecting the rights to their own work. They spent a lot of time keeping people from stealing their ideas.
Memorable Literary Element - This book comes from the brothers own letters, notebooks, and diaries. It is an informative quick read.
Illustrations - The photographs in the book were taken from the Smithsonian Institute and the National Air and Space Museum.
Review - School Library Journal Gr 3-6-Another serviceable biography makes its appearance in time for the Wright centennial. This solid, if somewhat stodgy offering, with its up-front definition of primary and secondary sources, is useful for young researchers. Because the Wrights left so much behind in the form of letters, notes, and interviews, Sullivan, like other biographers, had much material to draw from. He methodically tells the story of these famous brothers in simple, straightforward language. Although he is all business, nice descriptive touches sneak in like this reference to Kitty Hawk: "Winter was now close at hand. Each morning the water in the washbasin was frozen." The text is liberally sprinkled with appropriate photographs and on every five or six pages a slight margin of handwriting appears-a reminder of the reliance on primary sources. A listing of museums that provide booklets and packets of information is appended. A good choice for reports, this book's traditional style makes it a plus for readers who could be distracted by too much glitz.-Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Promotion - This book can be used as a resource when studying great American inventors/inventions. Below is a link to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Teachers can find information on lessons involving aviation.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Lessons