ABOUT THIS BOOK

IT IS THE 1920s and segregation is commonplace in the United States, including in Joe-Joe’s small town of Blind Eye. Joe-Joe’s father works at the local airport, and he’s wanted to fly since the first time he saw a plane in the air. But even though the men who work at the airport were promised flying jobs, the owner refuses to let them fly, and they’ve lost hope that they’ll ever get their chance. Their sadness spreads over the town and forms a cloud so thick even the moonlight and stars can’t break through. But on one magical night, little Joe-Joe takes his first plane ride and he’s got a plan: he’s going to talk to that moon and lure her back to Blind Eye so the townsfolk can be happy again.


REVIEWS

“From a beginning quote by Virginia Hamilton, ‘they say the people could fly’ to the endnote in which Tarpley elaborates on African Americans’ struggle for the right to fly, this is a celebration of the human spirit and the courage and determination of a people to soar.”—School Library Journal

“Tarpley’s warm, colloquial words and Lewis’ exquisite watercolors capture the joy and sense of empowerment in the boy’s fantasy as well as the tenderness between father and son.”—Booklist


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natasha Anastasia Tarpley is the author of several books for adults and young readers. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.

E. B. Lewis is the award-winning illustrator of more than 40 books for children. He lives in New Jersey.