02/24/2026
Great new book about aviation history. To learn more about women in aviation, also consider "Fly Girls" by Keith O'Brien, a thrilling read! And support the Ninety-Nines, founded by Amelia Earhardt and her aviatrix peers, the first 99 women with pilot's licenses.
Today's A Mighty Girl Community Pick: "The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II" by Katherine Sharp Landdeck. In the midst of World War II, a little over 1,100 women made their way through the U.S. Army's selection process – and became part of a landmark in aviation history. The Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, program drew female pilots from across the country, eager to prove their mettle.
Led by trailblazing pilots Nancy Love and Jacqueline Cochran, these women were never authorized to serve in combat, but they performed countless other critical and dangerous missions, from delivering planes to war zones to pulling targets for gunners to use for practice -- with live ammunition. And then, just as quickly, the program was disbanded, leaving the women fighting for over thirty years for recognition as the military veterans they were. Author Katherine Sharp Landdeck's soaring account of the WASP program is a fitting tribute to these bold women, their dedication to their country, and their determination to make their place in history. Highly recommended for adult readers.
"The Women with Silver Wings" is available at https://www.amightygirl.com/the-women-with-silver-wings
The true stories of the heroic women of WASP are told for tweens and teens in "Fly Girls" for ages 10 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/fly-girls-women-pilots
There is also an inspiring picture book about WASP co-founder Nancy Love, "Love Is in the Air" for ages 5 to 9 at "https://www.amightygirl.com/love-is-in-the-air
For two more inspiring picture books about courageous WASP pilots, both for ages 5 to 9, we recommend "Dorothy the Brave" (https://www.amightygirl.com/dorothy-the-brave) and "The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee" (https://www.amightygirl.com/fearless-flights-hazel-ying-lee)
For books for young readers that honor the service of women in the military, visit our blog post "The Price of Peace: A Mighty Girl Recognizes Veterans" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=12356
For more books for adult readers about heroic women of WWII, we've featured the best in historical fiction and biography in our blog post, "Telling Her Story: 40 Books for Adult Readers About Women Heroes of WWII," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=24501
