The Hallelujah Flight

The Hallelujah Flight by Phil Bildner and illustrated by John Holyfield is a 2011 Texas Bluebonnet award nominee.

This book is historical fiction and is based on true events and characters.

Exposition:  James Banning, African American pilot and Thomas Allen, Banning’s mechanic and copilot decide to fly their plane from California to New York.

Conflict:  The conflict to fix their plane and with very little money fly from California to New York.

 Rising Action:  On the afternoon of September 19, 1932, the pair load their plane and begin the transcontinental flight from Los Angeles, California.  They have to make many stops in various states along their way.  They pay for their expenses by allowing people to sign their names on the wings of the plane.

Climax:  They landed in New York after 21 days and about 3,300 miles.  Exclaiming “Hallelujah!” when they land safely, Sunday morning, October 9, 1932.

Falling Action:  They are greeted by hundreds in Harlem and treated to a banquet in their honor.

Resolution:  They completed the transcontinental flight with the help of many kind people.

This book is beautifully illustrated by John Holyfield.  The illustrations reinforce the story and vividly reveal to the reader the challenges that the two men had to overcome to fly across the United States.  The color of the pictures set the mood of the story, muted colors when there is adversity and bright colors when the adversities are overcome.

Bilder, P.  (2010). The Hallelujah Flight. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.