First Flight: The Story of Tom Tate and the Wright Brothers

by George Shea, Don Bolognese (Illustrator)

Overview

This Level Four I Can Read book is a perfect bridge to chapter books for elementary-grade kids—and it introduces the thrilling story of the Wright Brothers, flight pioneers. 

When Tom Tate hears that Wilbur and Orville Wright are building a flying machine, he can't wait to try it. Tom's dad thinks it's dangerous. Some people think the Wrights are crazy. Can Tom help the brothers get their dream off the ground?

"Children will identify with the spirit of this boy who enthusiastically volunteered to try out the glider when there wasn't enough wind to lift the grown men," commented School Library Journal, which also praised the "carefully researched" illustrations.

First Flight helps build reading confidence and pleasure while engaging young readers with compelling historical fiction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780064442152
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/18/2003
Series:	I Can Read Level 4
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	54,587
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

George Shea’s careful research for this book included interviews with Tom Tate’s son. Mr. Shea is the author of Amazing Rescues and lives in Los Angeles.

Don Bolognese has illustrated many notable children’s books, including the I Can Read books Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner and Buffalo Bill and The Pony Express by Eleanor Coerr. He divides his time between Vermont and New York City.

Don Bolognese is the illustrator of many popular books of historical fiction, including the I Can Read Books Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express by Eleanor Coerr and Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner. He lives in New York City and Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1-3This easy reader tells the delightful story of young Tom Tate, a boy who assisted the Wright Brothers with experiments for their historic flying machine. The author's note identifies Tom as a real person and supplies basic facts of his life, but the story focuses only on "Will and Orv's" visits to Kittyhawk. The fictionalized dialogue is fairly realistic and the story line progresses at an even pace. Bolognese has carefully researched the watercolor illustrations, which are consistent with photographs of the events. Children will identify with the spirit of this boy who enthusiastically volunteered to try out the glider when there wasn't enough wind to lift the grown men. A fine addition.Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TX

School Library Journal

This is a true tale of a boy who befriended the aviation pioneers and who was the second person to fly in their original glider. No one believes Tom, a Kitty Hawk resident and reputed storyteller, when he claims to have met two men from Ohio who are planning to fly through the air. The scoffing does not subside when Tom truthfully states that he flew the glider. Over the years, the Wright brothers make trips to Kitty Hawk, each time refining their machine, until the successful 1903 flight—and Tom is always there to witness it. This entry in the I Can Read Chapter Book series seems just right for new readers: Tom's presence makes the historical incident more accessible. The tale, with its limited vocabulary, doesn't allow for much character development, but has enough inherent drama to overcome the format. Bolognese's pictures add an old-fashioned touch, with a refreshingly simple palette that warmly evokes the era.

Kirkus Reviews