A 2016 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Finalist
In 1924 the U.S. Army sent eight young men on a bold attempt to be the
first to circumnavigate the globe by flight. Men from five other
countries--Great Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, and Argentina--had
the same goal. The race was on!
First Flight Around the World documents the exciting journey of four
American planes--the Chicago, Boston, New Orleans, and
Seattle--and their crews on a race around the world. The trip held
many challenges: extreme weather, tricky navigation, unfamiliar
cultures, fragile planes, and few airfields. The
world fliers risked their lives for the sake of national pride.
Based in part on the journal of one of the crew members, First
Lieutenant Leslie Arnold, along with commentary, newspaper reports, and
archival images, First Flight Around the World is a captivating tale
about American ingenuity, gumption, and perseverance.