Aim for the Skies

Jerrie Mock and Joan Merriam Smith's Race to Complete Amelia Earhart's Quest

When she was seven years old, Geraldine (Jerrie) Mock took her first airplane ride. She decided then and there to be a pilot. Growing up, she was inspired by radio broadcasts detailing the travels of aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Joan Merriam was 15 when she took her first plane ride in 1952. She got her pilot's license before she could even drive a car. And like Jerrie, Joan too was inspired by Earhart and wanted to circle the globe, following Earhart's exact route. Years later, when both women begin to plan their dream flights, they are completely unaware of each other, and coincidentally pick the same time to depart. But when the media gets word of their plans, the stage is set for the race of a lifetime. This picture book retells the extraordinary story of the 1964 air race between Americans Geraldine Mock and Joan Merriam Smith, the first two women to fly around the world.

Format List Price Your Price Qty
$16.99 $16.99
$28.99 $28.99
Interest Level Grade 1 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 2
Dewey 629.13092/520973
Lexile 740L
ATOS Reading Level
Guided Reading Level O
Language English
Publisher Sleeping Bear Press
Available Formats Hardcover (9781585363810), PDF (9781534126404), Hosted ebook (9781534126534)
Copyright 2018
Number of Pages 32
Dimensions 9 x 11
Graphics Full-color illustrations

Kirkus Review - Aim for the Skies

The straightforward narrative highlights the passion and determination of these two unknown women, who broke barriers and achieved their dreams. Tidbits, such as the fact that each had a good-luck charm, add human interest.

Author: Aimee Bissonette

Author Aimée Bissonette was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, the sixth of seven children. Aimée earned her Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and her Law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. She has worked as an occupational therapist, teacher, lawyer, and small business owner. She is the author of Miss Colfax’s Light. Learn more at her website: aimeebissonette.com. In addition to her books for children, Aimée has published a book for K-12 teachers and administrators on the legal issues associated with technology in the schools. She lives with her husband, family, and dogs in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger

Doris Ettlinger has illustrated many picture books, including the award-winning titles The Orange Shoes and A Book for Black-Eyed Susan. Recent books are S is for Sea Glass: A Beach Alphabet and The Legend of Sea Glass. Each book presents a new illustration challenge. Aim for the Skies gave Doris the chance to imagine very small aircraft in vast stormy skies. Doris lives and works with her husband in an old gristmill in western New Jersey. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Doris earned an MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She learned watercolor technique from her mother, Minnie Ettlinger. To see more of her work, follow Doris Ettlinger Studio on Facebook or Instagram, or visit dorisettlinger.com.

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Full-color illustrations