By Iszi Lawrence (author) Part of the Flashbacks series
"A wartime flying adventure with a difference"
Paperback Temporarily Out Of Stock £7.99 £7.19
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September 2012 Book of the Month
Billie Swift is quite a character and this World War Two story soars! Billie’s happier with her mum’s chickens than she is with other people and though she can’t see the point of school with its tests, is a quick learner especially when the subject is aeroplanes. An unplanned visit to the local airfield – a long story involving a crashed Spitfire – and a surprise meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt no less, leads Billie to start training with the Air Transport Auxiliary, joining other dynamic, determined young women flying planes across the UK. Not only is there all the thrill of flying but an intriguing plotline about a possible spy too. Lawrence has already proved that she’s a dab hand at bringing history to life with her debut The Unstoppable Letty Pegg, and here creates another likeable, original heroine in an atmospheric, action-packed adventure.
When twelve-year-old Billie is out exploring with her pet chicken, she sees a plane crash into a field and is left wondering if the pilot even survived. Determined to find out more, Billie finds a way into the ATA - a group of amazing pilots who defy the odds to get planes from the factories to the front lines - and her life changes for ever.
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Some of the pilots are men who are too old, or too injured for the air force. But many more are women. Intrepid, inspiring women who show Billie what she might grow up to become. With missions including ferrying turkeys over from Ireland and flying unfamiliar, broken planes, Billie is desperate to help.
But piloting fighter planes could turn out to be more than she bargained for...
A gripping, entertaining and empowering WWII adventure about the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Michael Morpurgo and Hilary McKay. The story of WWII starring the brilliant pilots you've never heard of... the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) who battled against the odds to get the air force's planes to the front lines.
Iszi Lawrence is a writer, comedian, podcaster and history presenter. She is a regular on TV history documentaries including shows for Sky History, Netflix, Yesterday and the Smithsonian Channel. She was co-host of BBC Radio 4’s flagship show, Making History with Tom Holland and presents Your Place or Mine with Shaun Keaveny (BBC R4 and Sounds). Her podcasts include The British Museum Membercast and popular science podcast Terrible Lizards with Dr Dave Hone. She is the author of four adventurous and funny middle grade children’s novels including Blackbeard's Treasure (which was selected as Blackwell's Children's Book of the Month) and a quirky series for 6-9 year olds, The Time Machine Next Door , all published by Bloomsbury. She is a regular visitor to schools and runs history and historical fiction workshops for Key Stage 2 and 3 students.
Iszi is a dark blue belt in Japanese style Jiu Jitsu so she also spends time in the week helping to teach both short people (7-11 year olds) and grown ups how to punch her in the face. She dabbles in illustration, plays the guitar, likes cooking, dinosaurs and enjoys keeping fit.
She lives in Reading with a poet and two cats.
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When twelve-year-old Billie is out exploring with her pet chicken, she sees a plane crash into a field and is left wondering if the pilot even survived. Determined to find out more, Billie finds a way into the ATA - a group of amazing pilots who defy the odds to get planes from the factories to the front lines - and her life changes for ever. Some of the pilots are men who are too old, or too injured for the air force. But many more are women. Intrepid, inspiring women who show Billie what she might grow up to become. With missions including ferrying turkeys over from Ireland and flying unfamiliar, broken planes, Billie is desperate to help.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Billie Swift Takes Flight and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-10 years old
Billie Swift Takes Flight features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Historical Fiction, Warfare & Battles, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. Temporarily Out Of Stock.
Billie Swift Takes Flight was written by Iszi Lawrence and published by Bloomsbury Education
Billie Swift Takes Flight has 316 pages
Yes it is part of Flashbacks series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. Temporarily Out Of Stock.
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