(2) K-3 Illustrated by Malene R. Laugesen. In 1927, inspired by Charles Lindbergh, Elder took off in the American Girl for Paris. When the plane crashed into the Atlantic, Elder (after her dramatic rescue) became a celebrity. The second half of Cummins's picture book biography recounts Elder's airplane racing adventures. The text captures the feel of the era while pastel illustrations capture the lofty feeling of flying. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Cheryl Harness. This welcome companion to Women Daredevils: Thrills, Chills, and Frills profiles Freya Stark, Daisy Bates, and eight other explorers, all born before 1900 and all, Cummins convincingly argues, overlooked because they were "saddled with gender barriers... Females belonged at home!" Neither author nor illustrator can contain her enthusiasm for her subjects ("She was some awesome Aussie, pistol-packin' mama!"). Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Allen Austin. Cummins successfully brings to life the story of little-known nineteenth-century daredevil Sam Patch, nicknamed "the Jersey Jumper," who leapt from such locales as Niagara Falls. Exaggerated sepia-tone acrylics reinforce the folksiness, situating the story somewhere between tall tale and serious depiction of Patch's accomplishments. The excitement and energy will appeal to thrill-seeking readers. A historical note is appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Cheryl Harness. This book introduces fourteen women who dared to enter the male arena of "extreme sports" (parachute jumping, airplane-wing walking, etc.) in the early 1900s. Like Cummins's surfeit of exclamation points and puns, Harness's sometimes overexuberant compositions reflect her enthusiasm for her subjects. The author's note provides sources. Timeline.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Ted Rand. On alternating pages, Cummins contrasts Ben's country life with Jody's life in the city: e.g., Ben's school bus drives many miles on country roads, while Jody takes a crowded city bus to school. In a feel-good ending, they meet and become friends at Camp Eagle Ridge. Although the text is less a story than a listing of differences, the handsome illustrations bring the children and their environments to life.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(2) 4-6 Scott, who could have been a carefree socialite, sold cars when women weren't supposed to work outside the home, and, in 1910, became the first woman pilot in the United States. This well-researched book is replete with Scott's breathless personal testimony and with effectively placed black-and-white photos. Cummins provides clear explanations of technical aspects but otherwise adopts a playful style. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2001