The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee

by Julie Leung, Julie Kwon (Illustrator)

Overview

Discover an inspiring picture book biography about Hazel Ying Lee, the first Chinese American woman to fly for the US military.

Hazel Ying Lee was born fearless—she was not afraid of anything, and the moment she took her first airplane ride, she knew where she belonged. When people scoffed at her dreams of becoming a pilot, Hazel wouldn't take no for an answer. She joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. It was a dangerous job, but Hazel flew with joy and boldness.

This moving, true story about a groundbreaking figure will inspire young readers to challenge barriers and reach for the sky.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759554955
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	02/02/2021
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	232,020
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.55(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Julie Leung was raised in the sleepy suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, and currently lives in New York City. She is also the author of the Mice of the Round Table middle grade trilogy and the picture book Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist, illustrated by Chris Sasaki. She invites you to visit her online at jleungbooks.com.

Julie Kwon is an artist and illustrator based in Brooklyn. Born and raised in New Jersey, she was always passionate about making art, though her mother did try very hard to convince her that she was actually passionate about becoming a pharmacist. A graduate of the Brown/RISD Dual-Degree program, The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee is her first picture book. She invites you to visit her online at juliekwonart.com.

Editorial Reviews

* "Through clear and concise text aimed at younger fluent readers, author Leung conveys Lee’s verve and passion for both flying and life while also conveying the full import of Lee’s accomplishments to both America and Americans of color.... hTe crisp lines and bright colors of Kwon’s illustrations simply and gracefully depict a bygone era.... Another welcome biography of an Asian American contributor to U.S. history."—Kirkus Reviews

"[An] unsung hero from Chinese American history....  A moving tribute to this groundbreaking aviation pioneer."—Booklist

"A little-known Chinese American pilot is brought to life in this picture book biography.... Illustrations vibrantly complement the text.... A must-have."—School Library Connection

"Kwon’s illustrations emphasize Lee’s sparkle and determination."—BCCB

"Leung's poetic text vividly conveys Lee’s fascination with and passion for flying and breaking boundaries without fear as well as her perseverance and optimism for a better world. Kwon’s clear, earth-toned, full-bleed illustrations expand on the story....  An excellent portrayal of a fearless flyer."—The Horn Book

"Inspiring.... Engaging.... An excellent picture book biography."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

03/01/2021

Gr 1–4—Hazel Ying Lee was a fearless young woman who, from the moment she rode in an airplane, dreamed of flying them. Unfortunately, it was 1932 and "less than one percent of pilots were women." On top of that, Lee was Chinese American, and no Chinese American girl had ever flown an airplane. None of this stopped her. She worked to save money and earned her pilot's license in less than a year even though no one would hire a Chinese American woman. When WWII broke out in 1941, Lee found her chance, joining the Women Airforce Service Pilots. She became the first Chinese American woman to fly for the U.S. military. This inspiring biography celebrates a strong young woman. Lee's family also had to break barriers and fight for what's right, having to advocate for their daughter's burial at a whites-only cemetery. The text is engaging. The digital artwork is filled with bold colors, and immerses readers into the era portrayed. Back matter includes more information about Lee and her family as well as further recommended resources. VERDICT An excellent picture book biography recommended for all collections. Readers will be inspired to strive for what they want in a world that may not be ready for them.—Kristyn Dorfman, The Nightingale-Bamford Sch., New York City

School Library Journal

★ 2020-12-15
Hazel Ying Lee, the first Chinese American woman to fly for the U.S. Air Force, was always destined to take to the sky.

Born in 1912 in Portland, Oregon, during a time when Chinese Americans were required to carry identification at all times, Hazel was known in her family of eight siblings as the fearless one. At the age of 19, when she first rode in an airplane, she knew then what she wanted to do. Lee was determined to become a pilot even though her mother told her it was “not ladylike” and despite the racism and sexism of the time. So when World War II reached American soil in 1941 and the U.S. Air Force created the Women Airforce Service Pilots, Lee signed up to become a WASP. She was a pilot at last. Through clear and concise text aimed at younger fluent readers, author Leung conveys Lee’s verve and passion for both flying and life while also conveying the full import of Lee’s accomplishments to both America and Americans of color. That Lee’s family fought for her to be buried in a Whites-only cemetery—and won—is a sad yet hopeful reflection on the trajectory of American social justice. The crisp lines and bright colors of Kwon’s illustrations simply and gracefully depict a bygone era, and an author’s note sufficiently fills in any details missing from the text.

Another welcome biography of an Asian American contributor to U.S. history. (bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews