The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

"I like to think about that first airplane the way it sailed off in the air...as pretty as any bird you ever laid your eyes on. I don't think I ever saw a prettier sight in my life....It wasn't luck that made them fly; it was hard work and common sense; they put their whole heart and soul and all their energy into an idea and they had the faith."
               -John T. Daniels, eyewitness to historic 1903 flight of the Wright Brothers

The Wright Brothers was selected for February at the recommendation of another book club which came with the offer of a couple of copies to loan. I was familiar with author McCullough, well-known for his biographies and histories so I knew he was an excellent writer.

I can't say I loved the book and it surely was NOT a page-turner. However, I am glad I read it because I learned a great deal about two true American heroes. My foreknowledge was limited to the invention of the airplane and that Kitty Hawk, NC was involved. So for me the book held many surprises---the closeness of the Wright family, their beginnings as bicycle manufacturers and much of their early work being done in France. The speed of development in the field of aeronautics was amazing, as well, considering how much competition the Wright brothers had just a year after their break-through events. When one thinks of the progress in manned flight since, one cannot help being inspired by these two brilliant, unrelenting scientist inventors!

I enjoyed the photographs included, not just of the flying machines but also of family, friends and supporters of Orville and Wilbur. They helped to humanize these larger-than-life characters. Some of the technical aspects were well over my head, but necessary for the accuracy of the story. I couldn't help being impressed with the amount of research required for such a book. I have decided on a rating of 4 for the reasons I have mentioned.

I had visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. a few years ago and vaguely remember seeing the Wright Brothers exhibit including the 1903 Flyer, noted as the first airplane. I do wish I could return having read McCullough's book. I would appreciate it so much more now!

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When our Page Turners group met, our average rating was 3.9, with a preponderance of 4's. Our members were glad to have read it. In our midst were two lady pilots who may have enjoyed it (and understood the technical parts) better than the rest of us. In discussing the differences between the brothers, it was said that they complimented each other. One participant went so far as to predict one could not have accomplished the same feats alone.  We noted that both brothers were patient, persistent, and determined with great vision and imagination. While Wilbur was an intellectual genius, Orville had amazing mechanical ability. The teamwork was invaluable.

Most participants did not realize the "French connection" of the Wrights, just as I had not. One member who has read more extensively on this topic said that France had been fascinated with flight for years before the occurrences in this book, especially balloon flight. That would be a major reason why the early accomplishments of the Wrights were embraced and celebrated by the French more than in the U.S. at first.

In discussing the rapid and plentiful changes in the world of aeronautics after the 1903 break-through, one member used a popcorn analogy. Discoveries made in science, much like Wilbur's first flights, are like the first kernels of corn that pop slowly. It doesn't take long for the popping to become fast and furious.

We were surprised that the whole Wright family was so supportive, encouraging and proud of Wilbur and Orville. Chapter One begins with this quote from Wilbur: "If I were giving a young man advice as to how he might succeed in life, I would say to him, pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio."

All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani

"Alda had also observed how strange Hollywood could be. Nothing was as it seemed, including the emotions under the surface. Gorgeous actresses who wore furs and jewels and waved to the crowds at premieres, in private had crushing bout of self-loathing and engaged in all kinds of self-destructive behavior. Actors who were handsome, strong, athletic, and robust on the set, in private could not stop drinking. Their working world of heightened emotions and perfection was an illusion that fed their unworthiness."                             -from the novel

This historical fiction tells the love story of Loretta Young and Clark Gable. Loretta, whose real name is Gretchen Belzer, confesses that she falls in love with all her leading men. On the rebound from her involvement with Spencer Tracy, she stars in Call of the Wild with Gable and she falls hard for him. I found myself wondering if I ever saw that movie and thinking I would like to watch it.

The other main character is Alda Ducci, an aspiring nun, who is dismissed by the Mother Superior as not being ready and ends up working for Loretta Young. She is treated very well by the family and ends up being a true and valued friend and advisor to the actress. Her own love story is woven into Miss Young's affairs of heart.

I remembered several actors mentioned in the story---especially Spencer Tracy, David Niven and Hattie McDaniel. Of course, I knew Clark Gable, mostly from "Gone with the Wind." I knew he was very handsome but apparently he was also quite charming with a great sense of humor. He did have a roving eye for the ladies---was married 5 times!

When I began the book, I knew who Loretta Young was though  I couldn't recall a specific movie in which she had performed. In reading her story I admired her willingness to take risks as in using radio and, later, television to keep working and maintain her fan base past an age when many actresses could not. I think I remember her TV show in the 50's.

I was surprised that at age 21, Loretta already had several movies to her credit. It was interesting to find that she was a devout Catholic, though certainly not a pious one. It was not surprising that the Hollywood of the early days was similar to how we think of it today with faithful, lasting marriages being few and far between.

My rating is 3.5, an interesting story but not really compelling and having little literary value.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

"There have been Starcatchers on Earth for centuries, Peter. Even we don't know how long. But our task is always the same: to watch for the starstuff, and to get it, and return it, before it falls into the hands of the Others."
                         -Molly, from the novel

I had not read this youth novel before I saw a play entitled "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. The play was a wacky but enjoyable pirate story. I decided I needed to read the book from which the play originated. I can tell you the play was loosely based on the novel. It featured the same human characters but many of the fantasy elements couldn't be portrayed on a stage---things like flying animals, devilish mermaids and talking porpoises.

This novel was written as a sort of prequel to the familiar story of Peter Pan. Did you ever wonder how Captain Hook lost his hand, how Peter connected with Wendy and Tinker Bell, or what happened to make Peter stay a boy? Those questions answered and more in this 450-page book!

Though I read the whole book, I wondered why, because I didn't really enjoy it that much. I guess I was just curious enough to see how it would end. I will rate it 2.5.  Fantasy is not a favorite genre of mine although I LOVED the Harry Potter series and thought all seven were superbly conceived and written.

I can see how boys would like this pirate saga with the adventure and fighting and some magic thrown into the mix. I would recommend it for upper elementary to middle school age.

There were numerous errors in the edition I read;  it should definitely have been edited more thoroughly. There are 2 other novels in this series but I won't be searching them out!