First off, I've got to say I'm not sure why this historical fiction novel is in the children's and young adult categories, as it isn't a novel about adolescents/teenagers. Ida Mae and her peers are young but grown women.

Now, I was certainly intrigued by the book blurb, which I actually read beforehand. (Something I often don't do.) While the novel has relevant details about the WASP and WWII—and it illustrates how, in general, the war was as much of a major part of Black Americans' lives as any other Americans—the story is a "What if...?" type when it comes to the issue of Ida Mae passing to join the WASP. The author mentions afterward that there's no evidence that any Black women were in the WASP program, through passing or otherwise.

Nevertheless, the story does a pretty good job of pointing out several racial complexities and complications that would crop up in real life. (Heads-up that a couple of minor characters use the N-word.) Although I can't say the emotional and character development were that strong for me, rather serious points of conflict do arise for Ida, particularly after a certain point in the book.

However, the story comes to an abrupt, open-ended conclusion, resolving none of those points. There's a little in the epilogue for readers to guess about and to imagine Ida Mae's future however they wish. While I get that open-ended endings are an actual thing in certain novels, they aren't my thing, personally. Whether it's a happy ending, a sad ending, or a mix of both, I prefer closure at a novel's closing. Especially if the book has no sequel.

I'm not sorry I gave this novel a go, though. And for readers who'd be interested in historical fiction presenting how Black American women actually did serve during WWII, I'd recommend checking out the novel Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson. ( )

Sufficiently compelling for YA...does get to heart-strings when talk of family and struggle of passing is central. A few historic details are amiss...but a genuinely good book. ( )

Fly Girl has one of the best topics I have ever read. The book talks about identity as the main character Ida Mae Jones becomes someone who she isn't just to receive a chance to achieve her dream of becoming a pilot during war world II. The author Sherri L. Smith does a great job of explaining the hard times of Ida's journey as she tries to achieve her dream.

I personally have thought about this event before as I would create a punnett square in my mind to compare 1 white male and female and 1 African American male and female. I would always think about how little rights the African American female would have back during world war II. I would always think about how much determination they must have had to go on each day knowing that they had barely any rights. The book Fly Girl brought my imagination together as it talks about how a light-skinned African American girl uses her determination to achieve her dream as it was already stripped from her before due to her skin color.

The average reader should read Fly Girl at least one point in their life. Even though the ending is not the best fit for this book. I still would recommend the book. The topic makes up for the ending and continues to amaze me as the book goes through all the hardships of Ida on her journey. Even though I hate sitting down to read a book, I can confidently say that this book is well worth reading.

This young adult novel was an easy listen. I would have liked a little bit more resolution, but I enjoyed it. ( )

World War II leads one young woman towards her dream of becoming a pilot with the creation of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Race, gender, and prejudice during World War II are obstacles she must overcome.