Featuring insights from the aviator’s great-nephew, an uplifting picture book account of the life of the first African American pilot to fly across the United States describes Banning’s Oklahoma farm childhood and the barriers that challenged his historic achievement. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations. - (Baker & Taylor)

The inspirational and true story of James Herman Banning, the first African American pilot to fly across the country, comes to life in this picture book biography perfect for fans of Hidden Figures and Little Leaders. Includes art from a Coretta Scott King award-winning illustrator.

James Herman Banning always dreamed of touching the sky. But how could a farm boy from Oklahoma find a plane? And how would he learn to fly it? None of the other pilots looked like him. Despite the challenges and prejudices that stood in his way, James knew he belonged above the clouds.

In a journey that would span 3,300 miles, take twenty-one days, and inspire a nation, James Herman Banning proved that you can't put barriers on dreams. Louisa Jaggar incorporates over seven years of research, including Banning's own writings and an interview with the aviator's great-nephew. She teams up with cowriter Shari Becker and award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper to capture Banning's historic flight across the United States.
 
"A pathos-filled picture book that celebrates the life of a figure in American history who hasn't been featured often." -School Library Journal, Starred Review - (Random House, Inc.)

Louisa Jaggar has been a columnist for Washington Parent and has contributed articles to Diversion and the online site Family Travel Network. She has written for PBS and the University of Chicago, among others. She lives near Washington, D.C.

Shari Becker was born in Montreal, Quebec, and was raised speaking both English and French. She has an MA from New York University and has worked for Nickelodeon, several Disney-owned companies, and even an Emmy Award-winning puppeteer. She is the author of two picture books, including Maxwell's Mountain, a Junior Library Guild Selection and Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book. She lives in Massachusetts, with her husband, their two daughters, and their dog.

Floyd Cooper received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in The Blacker the Berry and a Coretta Scott King Honor for Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea and I Have Heard of a Land. Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Floyd received a degree in fine arts from the University of Oklahoma and, after graduating, worked as an artist for a major greeting card company. In 1984, he came to New York City to pursue a career as an illustrator of books, and he now lives in Easton, Pennsylvania, with his wife and children. - (Random House, Inc.)

Horn Book Guide Reviews

James Herman Banning, an African American living in Canton, Oklahoma, in the early 1900s, wanted to fly, especially after learning that the Wright Brothers had taken to the skies for sixteen and a half minutes in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in October 1905. At the Excelsior Library (the first Oklahoma library for Blacks), he read about how flying machines stayed aloft. In 1911, young James saw birdman Charles Walsh fly at the fair and climbed aboard his craft when no one was looking. After World War I began, Banning attended Iowa State for one year then opened an automobile repair business at age twenty-one, through which he met Lieutenant Raymond Fisher, a pilot, who taught James to fly. Despite racist discrimination and finances that limited his access to the best equipment, Banning, along with Black mechanic Thomas Cox Allen, became the first African American to fly the 3,300 miles from Los Angeles to New York, stopping in towns that would welcome Black aeronauts. Everyone who supported their journey signed the wing of their plane, the Eaglerock. Cooper's signature illustrations, highly textured oil-on-board, reveal Banning's passion for flight and his determination to spend as much time as possible in the air. The prominence of brown hues centers Black lives in this story, while equally impressive blues keep readers looking skyward. An entertaining, exquisitely illustrated biography of a Black aeronaut who should be as well known as the Wright Brothers. An author's note, quotation sources, newspaper articles by Banning, interviews, documents, and further reading are appended. Copyright 2023 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Horn Book Magazine Reviews

James Herman Banning, an African American living in Canton, Oklahoma, in the early 1900s, wanted to fly, especially after learning that the Wright Brothers had taken to the skies for sixteen and a half minutes in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in October 1905. At the Excelsior Library (the first Oklahoma library for Blacks), he read about how "flying machines" stayed aloft. In 1911, young James saw "birdman" Charles Walsh fly at the fair and climbed aboard his craft when no one was looking. After World War I began, Banning attended Iowa State for one year then opened an automobile repair business at age twenty-one, through which he met Lieutenant Raymond Fisher, a pilot, who taught James to fly. Despite racist discrimination and finances that limited his access to the best equipment, Banning, along with Black mechanic Thomas Cox Allen, became the first African American to fly the 3,300 miles from Los Angeles to New York, stopping in towns that would welcome Black aeronauts. Everyone who supported their journey signed the wing of their plane, the Eaglerock. Cooper's signature illustrations, highly textured oil-on-board, reveal Banning's passion for flight and his determination to spend as much time as possible in the air. The prominence of brown hues centers Black lives in this story, while equally impressive blues keep readers looking skyward. An entertaining, exquisitely illustrated biography of a Black aeronaut who should be as well known as the Wright Brothers. An author's note, quotation sources, newspaper articles by Banning, interviews, documents, and further reading are appended. Michelle H. Martin March/April 2021 p.114 Copyright 2021 Horn Book Magazine Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Black pilot James Herman Banning makes history with a cross-country flight in 1932. Banner wanted wings from the time he was a child. He read widely as a child and young man, and he attended college for one year—as one of only seven Black students accepted—but was forced to leave for financial reasons. As he opened a mechanic shop, he continued to dream of flying. But no flight schools would take on a Black student. One day, a pilot came into his shop with a motorcycle, and Banning asked him for lessons. This time, the answer was yes. Banning finally got his chance to learn to fly. He earned his pilot's license and continued teaching himself. He moved to California to teach at a new aviation school for Black men and women. Then he set out to pursue a new dream: to fly from Los Angeles to Long Island. With a partner, a cobbled-together airplane, and the support of many, both individuals and whole communities where they stopped on the way, Banning achieved this goal. Long paragraphs of text on each spread detail dates and locations of the duo's flight. The level of detail provided makes this book suitable for older readers, particularly those interested in flight. Cooper's softly painted artwork creates a lovely period feel to complement the story. Banning's determination in overcoming obstacles is impressive, and the realistic ways in which supporters and refusers influenced his path paint an accurate portrait of the United States. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 67.5% of actual size.) A story well worth sharing. (note, sources, further reading) (Picture book/biography. 6-10) Copyright Kirkus 2020 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Jaggar and Becker offer a comprehensive picture book biography of James Herman Banning, covering his childhood flying kites, the years he spent teaching others to fly, and his triumph as the first Black birdman—with Thomas Cox Allen—to make the transcontinental flight from California to New York. Sensory details ("James scrambled out of the plane and ran, but he could still smell the oil and gas, feel the controls in his hand") and substantiated quotes help scenes come alive, while Cooper's oil on board illustrations offer varying perspectives and imbue texture and nuance. Dense paragraphs and a leisurely pace make this less ideal for a readaloud, but its edifying, empowering narrative will enthrall aspiring aviators and young history buffs. Back matter includes an author's note from Jaggar. Ages 5–7. (Jan.)

School Library Journal Reviews

K-Gr 2—This picture book biography recounts the story of James Herman Banning, from his first encounter with a real "birdman" in Thomas, OK, in 1911 to a lifelong love of flying. Despite his passion and hard work, Banning struggled to find someone willing to teach him to fly because he was a Black man. Ultimately, a white lieutenant named Raymond Fisher became his teacher and friend. After Fisher was killed in a plane crash in 1926, Banning had to build his own plane from scrap and spare parts to continue his career in aviation. In 1929 Banning took a position at William Powell's all-Black flight school, the Bessie Coleman Aero Club, in Los Angeles. Then in 1932 with airplane mechanic Thomas Cox Allen—the Flying Hobos, so named because of the help they received from the communities where they landed—he undertook a 21-day journey from Los Angeles to New York City in an Eaglerock plane. Back matter explains that Jaggar and researcher Pat Smith pieced together this account of the Flying Hobos based on articles from historical Black newspapers, interviews with Banning's descendants, and an unpublished manuscript written by Thomas Cox Allen that detailed their flight across the country. Cooper's expansive illustrations are rendered in muted earth tones, with an impressionistic, dreamlike quality. VERDICT A pathos-filled picture book that celebrates the life of a figure in American history who hasn't been featured often in children's books. Recommended for all nonfiction collections.—Kelly Topita, Anne Arundel County P.L., MD