Soaring in Style - by Jennifer Lane Wilson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Long before Amelia Earhart became a superstar, she was a girl who longed to touch the stars. But the dresses women had to wear at the time made those dreams seem almost impossible. Amelia didn't let that stop her. As a young aviator breaking records and expectations, she learned to fly her plane with flair. Later, she dared to create a trendsetting fashion line for active women like herself. Soaring in Style tells the groundbreaking story of how Amelia Earhart defied expectations in the air and on the ground to become America's first celebrity fashion designer"--

Book Synopsis

Long before Amelia Earhart became a superstar, she was a girl who longed to touch the stars. But the dresses women had to wear at the time made those dreams seem almost impossible. Amelia didn't let that stop her. As a young aviator breaking records and expectations, she learned to fly her plane with flair. Later, she dared to create a trendsetting fashion line for active women like herself. Soaring in Style tells the groundbreaking story of how Amelia Earhart defied expectations in the air and on the ground to become America's first celebrity fashion designer.

Review Quotes

Amelia Earhart is known for her incredible exploits in aviation, but she was also a pioneer in the fashion world. An adventurous young Earheart preferred the practicality of bloomers over fussy dresses, and this preference served her well after she joined the male-dominated aviation industry. The cold skies and dirty airfields meant that Earheart embraced trousers, jackets, and flight suits of her own design, though she was known to add a string of pearls or a flashy scarf to keep things interesting. When she expressed a desire for clothing that could be both fashionable and practical, a designer friend encouraged Earheart to experiment, so she created a new fashion line filled with practical innovations and whimsical touches. Wilson's latest an absolutely delightful introduction to Earheart's lesser-known passion, and it's a pleasure to indulge in entertaining anecdotes that that go beyond her famous flights. The cheerful illustrations capture the wonder of flying along with the joy of creation, and an author's note expands upon fascinating details more fully. Fashion is anything but frivolous in this entertaining ode to innovation.--Emily Graham "Booklist"

This profile follows Amelia Earhart (b. 1897, declared dead in 1939) from being an active child who preferred bloomers to being a gender-norm-defying aviator who became known for dressing with sleek, simple flair--and who eventually began her own clothing line, which offered women comfortable, washable, and tuckable separates. The late Wilson's narrative smoothly presents accounts of Earhart's aerial accomplishments alongside stylish stories, for example, about flying with Eleanor Roosevelt: "In long gloves and a satin gown, Amelia took a turn at the controls and guided the plane through the starry sky. As shiny as sequins, the stars seemed close enough to touch." Marlin's soft-brushed spreads, rendered in assured digital lines, use vintage color palettes. A biography of a famous flier distinguished by its uncommon lens. Back matter includes an author's note. Ages 8-10. (Feb.)-- "Publishers Weekly"