Science Comics: Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared

A National Science Teachers Association Best STEM Books of 2017

Take to the skies with Flying Machines!

Follow the famous aviators from their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, to the fields of North Carolina where they were to make their famous flights. In an era of dirigibles and hot air balloons, the Wright Brothers were among the first innovators of heavier than air flight. But in the hotly competitive international race toward flight, Orville and Wilbur were up against a lot more than bad weather. Mechanical failures, lack of information, and even other aviators complicated the Wright Brothers' journey. Though they weren't as wealthy as their European counterparts, their impressive achievements demanded attention on the international stage. Thanks to their carefully recorded experiments and a healthy dash of bravery, the Wright Brothers' flying machines took off.

Author: Benjamin A. Wilgus
Publisher: First Second
Published: 05/23/2017
Pages: 128
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.6lbs
Size: 8.40h x 6.00w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781626721395
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.1
Point Value: 2
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 189671 / Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2017
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2017 pg. 204 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

About the Author

Benjamin A. Wilgus is a Brooklyn-based author of comics and prose. He got his start as an animation writer on Codename: Kids Next Door, and his work has since been published by Scholastic, Nickelodeon Magazine, Del Rey, Dark Horse, and Tor.com, among others. His middle grade graphic novel Science Comics: Flying Machines (with artist Molly Brooks) was named one of the National Science Teachers Association's Best STEM Books for 2018. He is also the writer of the YA graphic novel The Mars Challenge (with artist Wyeth Yates).

Molly Brooks grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, received her MFA in illustration from the School of Visual Arts, and is currently based in Brooklyn. Her illustrations have appeared in The Village Voice, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, Time Out New York, The Toast, BUST Magazine, Sports Illustrated online, and elsewhere.