The true story of Barrington Irving, who broke records as the youngest person and first Black man to fly solo around the world—co-authored by Barrington and award-winning author Chana Stiefel, with art by New York Times bestselling illustrator Shamar Knight-Justice

As a kid, Barrington Irving moved from Jamaica to Miami and played football—his ticket to success, he thought. But then Captain Gary Robinson swooped into his life. Barrington had never seen a Black pilot before. Captain Robinson showed Barrington a jet, a cockpit, and what it was like to actually fly a plane
WHOAAA!

After that, Barrington had big plans, and two words:
Let's Fly!

Barrington Irving worked hard to become a pilot, and even harder to inspire other people to think big too. How big? A flight around the WORLD big. Climb aboard for the true story of how Barrington Irving went from tinkering kid to towering pilot and flew solo around the world—breaking records as the youngest person and first Black man ever to do it. With maps, labels, lists, and cool backmatter, including news of what Barring Irving is doing today, this book soars.

Buckle up! Sky-high dreams ahead.

“Rich and inspiring . . . Will have young flying enthusiasts riveted.”SLJ
“High-octane [and] heroic.Booklist.
“Uplifting . . . Will put the wind under readers’ wings.”Kirkus
Shamar Knight-Justice is an illustrator and educator based in Atlanta. He is most content eating pancakes, seeing kids explore their imaginations, and going on long walks with his wife and dog. He is also the illustrator of Ari J.'s Kinky, Curly Crown. Visit him online at www.shamarknightjustice.com. View titles by Shamar Knight-Justice
“Energetic illustrations effectively convey the narrator’s personal drive, ambitions, achievements, the wonders of flight, and diagrams. . . . This rich and inspiring true story will have young flying enthusiasts riveted.” —School Library Journal

“Uplifting [and] attractive . . . Will put the wind under readers’ wings.” —Kirkus
 
“High-octane [and] heroic . . . An afterword and time line supply more detail about [Captain Barrington Irving’s] flight and his subsequent work with young people. —Booklist.
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About

The true story of Barrington Irving, who broke records as the youngest person and first Black man to fly solo around the world—co-authored by Barrington and award-winning author Chana Stiefel, with art by New York Times bestselling illustrator Shamar Knight-Justice

As a kid, Barrington Irving moved from Jamaica to Miami and played football—his ticket to success, he thought. But then Captain Gary Robinson swooped into his life. Barrington had never seen a Black pilot before. Captain Robinson showed Barrington a jet, a cockpit, and what it was like to actually fly a plane
WHOAAA!

After that, Barrington had big plans, and two words:
Let's Fly!

Barrington Irving worked hard to become a pilot, and even harder to inspire other people to think big too. How big? A flight around the WORLD big. Climb aboard for the true story of how Barrington Irving went from tinkering kid to towering pilot and flew solo around the world—breaking records as the youngest person and first Black man ever to do it. With maps, labels, lists, and cool backmatter, including news of what Barring Irving is doing today, this book soars.

Buckle up! Sky-high dreams ahead.

“Rich and inspiring . . . Will have young flying enthusiasts riveted.”SLJ
“High-octane [and] heroic.Booklist.
“Uplifting . . . Will put the wind under readers’ wings.”Kirkus

Author

Shamar Knight-Justice is an illustrator and educator based in Atlanta. He is most content eating pancakes, seeing kids explore their imaginations, and going on long walks with his wife and dog. He is also the illustrator of Ari J.'s Kinky, Curly Crown. Visit him online at www.shamarknightjustice.com. View titles by Shamar Knight-Justice

Praise

“Energetic illustrations effectively convey the narrator’s personal drive, ambitions, achievements, the wonders of flight, and diagrams. . . . This rich and inspiring true story will have young flying enthusiasts riveted.” —School Library Journal

“Uplifting [and] attractive . . . Will put the wind under readers’ wings.” —Kirkus
 
“High-octane [and] heroic . . . An afterword and time line supply more detail about [Captain Barrington Irving’s] flight and his subsequent work with young people. —Booklist.

Photos

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additional book photo

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