Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for Lady Icarus by Deborah Noyes - Available

Lady Icarus

Balloonomania and the Brief, Bold Life of Sophie Blanchard

by Deborah Noyes
Suzanne Toren
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
A riveting middle-grade biography about Sophie Blanchard, the first woman to work as a professional aeronaut in France in the late 1700s, set against the thrilling backdrop of early flight.
Before Amelia Earhart, there was Sophie Blanchard, the first woman to earn her living in the air. While no one knows the fate of Earhart, a terrified crowd of thousands looked on as French aeronaut Sophie Blanchard met her end in a tragic blaze of glory over the streets of Paris in 1819.
But first, Blanchard made nearly 70 spectacular flights, survived a revolution, and become a court favorite of the emperor Napoleon (who gave her the title, "Aeronaut of the Official Festivals") and later of the King of France. Set against the backdrop of the history of flight, watch as Balloonmania— a phenomenon that riveted all of Europe—took hold and inspired a great many artists authors, and dreamers.
 
This lively biography introduces a frightened, nervous girl who became a fearless legend in the skies.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    March 8, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593505571
      • File size: 98131 KB
      • Duration: 03:24:26

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 1300
    • Text Difficulty: 10-12

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Suzanne Toren's engaging narration style is the perfect choice for this fascinating biography of the world's first female professional aeronaut and the early history of hot-air and hydrogen ballooning. A brief introduction immerses the listener in the social and political turmoil of late-eighteenth-century France, setting the scene for the birth of the phenomenon known as balloonomania. Toren keeps the pace brisk, presenting the first balloonists and their daring deeds amid the historical and scientific revolutions of the day. With her unique voice and flawless French pronunciation, she conveys the captivating wonders and tragedies of ballooning--creating an educational and inspirational listen for middle graders and adults alike. Back matter includes an afterword and a timeline of events. S.A.A. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      December 20, 2021
      This eye-opening account with more than 50 b&w photographs unveils the “life and times” of Sophie Blanchard (1778–1819), “a shy daughter of peasants” who would become “the world’s first professional woman pilot.” Recounting both the highs of Blanchard’s life—joy in flying solo, and appointment as “Aeronaut of the Official Festivals” by Napoléon—and the lows, including her mentor-husband’s death and her own fiery final flight, Noyes dramatically relays information in dialogue-studded text. Inset boxes provide historical, social, and political context, such as natural phenomena and the concepts behind air ballooning. Noyes adopts a dramatic tone to relay a well-rounded portrayal of one of the earliest female fliers, against the absorbing, painstakingly sketched background of the period’s balloonmania. Back matter includes an afterword, timeline, and bibliography. Ages 8–12.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1300
  • Text Difficulty:10-12

Loading