Biography: THE WRIGHT BROTHERS - HOW THEY INVENTED THE AIRPLANE

Bibliography
Freedman, Russell. 1991. THE WRIGHT BROTHERS: HOW THEY INVENTED THE AIRPLANE. Holiday House. New York, New York. ISBN 0823408752

Plot Summary
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS is an account of the life that brothers, Orville and Wilber, lived together. From childhood and early curiosities to the invention and perfection of the airplane this book is filled with photographs and artifacts such as journal entries. The relationship that these two brothers shared together is evident from their pictures, writings, and even the way they work together. These two young men are different ages but their relationship is as close as twins.

Critical Analysis
The photographs that Freedman has used in this book tell the story of the Wright Brothers all on their own. It was interesting to see what they were really thinking and feeling by getting to see a glimpse at their writings, drawings, and diagrams. Freedman weaves the actual writings and journals beautifully with his own words making a seamless account of the lives of the Wright Brothers. The accuracy in this book is evident by the artifacts that Freedman uses that back up his statements. Freedman portrays the Wright Brothers as good honest men that children, especially those interested in airplanes, could easily idolize. The only question I have is if these truly were two outstanding individuals or if there is aspect of these men that would be less than glorified. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE BRIEFLY suggests that this is a stereotyping that readers should be wary of so I would like to do more research to see if there are elements of their life that are left out to portray them in a specific way.

Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Freedman takes readers back to that exciting time, using not only the Wrights' written descriptions and the accounts of awed observers, but also a large selection of the careful photographs that Wilbur and Orville took to document their experiments. After an opening chapter to set the stage, the author creates a detailed family portrait.”
Publishers Weekly: “In understated, involving prose--skillfully laced with pertinent excerpts from journals, letters and contemporary accounts--Freedman lays out a clear and compelling history of the early aviation experiments that culminated in the legendary flight at Kitty Hawk. As with Lincoln , photographs are integral to Freedman's exposition and he makes ample, effective use of the many astonishing photos taken by the brothers in order to better document their experiments.”

Connections
*This book could be used to teach inventors and inventions.
*This book could be used to teach about airplane mechanics.
*This book could be used to teach perseverance and believing in yourself.
*This book could e used to start a timeline on the invention of airplanes.
Berger, Melvin and Gilda. HOW DO AIRPLANES FLY? A BOOK ABOUT AIRPLANES. ISBN 1571020586
Otfinoski, Steven. TAKING OFF: AIRPLANES THEN AND NOW. ISBN 0761404074