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Reviews

22nd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Books are evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning "needs improvement" and 5 meaning "outstanding."

Structure, Organization, and Pacing: 5
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar: 4
Production Quality and Cover Design: 4
Plot and Story Appeal: 5
Character Appeal and Development: 5
Voice and Writing Style: 4

Judge's Commentary:

    I enjoyed this book so much. I knew the name Chuck Yeager, but never knew exactly why. I liked how you told that he came from humble beginnings and worked hard. I like that you reminded the reader on page 7 that something could go wrong. You might have added a bit of tension on page 8 to have him worry at some point. I loved the dogfight scene, wanted it to go on longer with at least one more example of what it felt like. Or maybe have Yeager remember the real dogfights of WWII. I liked your putting in the joke of lighting the jets on page 12. It showed his sense of humor. I like your explanation of how sound works by starting with the ripples in the pond and the teacher's clapping. My favorite part of the book is describing what breaking the sound barrier actually means. I always pictured it as something that happened behind the plane. I would have liked to know the reason DeHavilland's plane broke down, and what the Americans did to make sure it didn't happen to their plane. Having the rocket plane getting a boost from the bomber plane was interesting. You did a great job describing what was happening on the flight that almost made it. It was amazing that Ridley was so smart that he figured out the special tail adjustment while the meeting was still going on. It seems like it would have taken him longer than that. The scene with the icing windows was good. I was surprised the Air Force would have trusted Yeager to test a plane when he had broken ribs and couldn't lift his arms. You did a great job of describing the turbulence; then when he reached the speed of sound it smoothed out. I can see this book influencing a young reader into wanting to become an Air Force pilot.

    Your writing is clear and concise. You wrote at a perfect level for your reader who would love this book. It's difficult to write a biography. It is so much telling with little opportunity to show. Show, don't tell is so important for a writer in pulling the reader into the book to experience the story. Telling uses the verb was too often. While we need to use the verb was sometimes, most times the sentence can be reworded with a strong, more interesting (showing) very that does more. A great example of the difference is on page 37. Your first line is telling, which is redundant because your next lines show through his thoughts that he was amazed. Then you tell that he was relieved. You could have showed he was relieved by saying he relaxed back in his seat and then think the next lines. I really enjoyed The Story Behind the Story at the end of the book. It answered some of the questions (above and some I didn't mention like how he, without going to college, was picked for this project) that I had while reading the story. Good book.

Kirkus Reviews: "engages young readers' imaginations, respects their intelligence and takes them along on an exciting, real-life adventure."

Clarion Reviews: "beautiful and vivid"