First Flight: The Story of Tom Tate and the Wright Brothers (I Can Read Chapter Book Series)

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?This 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, TXCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2^-3. From the I Can Read Chapter Book series, this fictionalized story from aviation history tells of Tom Tate, a boy from Kitty Hawk who befriended Orville and Wilbur Wright and took the second solo flight on their first glider. The tale does not end with Tom's flight, for he continues to watch his friends' experiments until, in 1903, he is there to see Orv take the first machine-powered flight. In addition to showing a slice of history, this intriguing book offers a good story and an inkling of the inventors' trial-and-error methods. The many well-composed illustrations, tinted with delicate watercolors, feature strong line drawings that show the characters' emotions through their faces and body language. A good introduction to the Wright brothers, from a child's point of view. Carolyn Phelan

From Kirkus Reviews
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. (Fiction. 8-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description
Up, up, and away!

ANNOTATION

A twelve-year-old boy named Tom Tate meets Orville and Wilbur Wright and witnesses the invention of the airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Around Kitty Hawk, Tom Tate was known for telling tall tales. But not even one of his stories could top the claim of Orville and Wilbur Wright, who said they came to Kitty Hawk to build a flying machine. Their plan sounded crazy to some folks, but Tom believed the brothers. He watched them testing their inventions and hoped that someday they'd send him up.

Based on the true story of the first boy — and the second person ever — to fly at Kitty Hawk, this account of the creation of the world's first airplane, beautifully rendered in Don Bolognese's illustrations, will leave beginning readers' imaginations soaring.

Author Biography: 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.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

One hundred years ago, the Wright Brothers made a successful controlled flight at Kitty Hawk, NC. It didn't happen overnight and it didn't happen without mishaps and lots of hard work. Orville and Wilbur had built a flying machine-a glider-and young Tom Tate wanted to fly. He got his chance. His father and uncle were helping the Wright brothers. It was 1900 and the brothers were trying to perfect their flying machine. They came back the next year, but still had problems. In 1912 they were back again and this time they knew they wanted their machine to be powered by an engine so that they could control the flight. Then in 1903, they succeeded, and Tom was witness to it all. The author's note at the end is a very nice touch. 2003, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 8.

Children's Literature - Uma Krishnaswami

None of the tall tales that young Tom Tate was known to tell could possibly compare with the amazing events he witnessed, and in which he later was a participant. Here is the tale of the creation of the first airplane told from the point of view of the first boy (and only the second person) to fly with those maverick inventors, the Brothers Wright, at Kitty Hawk. A kid-friendly format and the light touch of the illustrator enhance the story.

School Library Journal

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

Kirkus Reviews

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.