The Flyer Flew!: The Invention Of The Airplane (On My Own Science)

Grade 2-4
This brief chapter book begins in 1892, explaining that the Wright brothers, who loved inventions, ran a bicycle shop and read about the flight research by German flier Otto Lilienthal. When he died in a crash, the men decided to continue with his research. The author explains the various steps they took to create and test a flying machine. Terms such as pitch, air pressure, glider, and elevator are explained in the text and in a glossary. An afterword talks about the scientific research method that the Wrights used. The writing is easy and interesting, and the text is in large print. The illustrations, some full page, are in muted watercolors but the faces are painted with clear expressions and details that add to the quality of the book. This biography would make a useful starting point for classroom discussion on the Wright brothers or the scientific method.