Amelia Earhart: the Legend of the Lost Aviator. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2008.
By Shelley Tanaka
More than seventy years after her disappearance, the heroism and mystery of Amelia Earhart continues to fascinate and intrigue people. In this latest biography about Kansas’s most famous female aviator, Shelley Tanaka brings together information about Earhart, historical photographs and facts about aviation to help bring Earhart and her boldness to life for young people.
Not only does Tanaka create an accurate account of Earhart’s life, but she adds to the story of the famous aviator by including sidebars throughout the book that discuss aviation topics of interest to readers. Working with illustrator David Craig, Tanaka not only uses text to tell the story but also historic photographs and beautiful illustrations that are visually appealing to the eye. The work ends with an epilogue that discusses the mystery and theories surrounding Earhart’s disappearance.
To round out the book, the author has included a bibliography of sources for further research and an index. Tanaka has written several historical-based works for children, and this latest creation should appeal to young people, especially those in the 3rd through 5th grade. This work is recommended for purchase by public and school libraries, and is relevant for the study of women, aviation, and Kansas history.