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Keep ’Em Flying is an engaging new middle-grade mystery adventure set in the present day but deeply rooted in an exciting chapter of American WWII history — the story of the Rosie the Riveters.
As a lover of books about World War II, I was immediately drawn to this novel. I especially appreciated that it offers modern young readers both a lively adventure and a meaningful connection to an important piece of our national heritage, all with good writing and excellent values.
Sixth-grader Riley Abercrombie enters a public speaking contest sponsored by her local historical society. Her topic? The real-life experiences of her great grandma, who served as a Rosie the Riveter during WWII. When Riley wins the contest, she is awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to North American Aviation in Kansas City, Kansas, to present her speech once again as part of the museum’s festival.
With her father deployed and her mother busy keeping the home fires burning, Riley heads off on this adventure with her spunky and retired travel-ready Grandma Susie. Once they arrive, a riveting (no pun intended!) mystery begins to unfold — involving a stolen rivet gun and clues that lead Riley deeper into both WWII history and some valuable life lessons.
The story is fast-paced and fun, filled with interesting historical facts about the Rosies and the essential roles women played on the home front. Young readers will enjoy following Riley’s sleuthing journey — complete with wrong guesses, false leads, and ultimately satisfying discoveries. Through her experiences, Riley also learns important truths about treating others with Christ-like mercy and compassion.
Keep ’Em Flying is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy mysteries, history, and stories of friendship. It would be especially meaningful for children from military families or for those whose grandmothers, like author Nell Barnum’s, were Rosies themselves.
I highly recommend this delightful read for home libraries, classroom collections, church libraries, and book clubs looking for fresh and engaging historical fiction for middle-grade readers.