Gamesss: Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven ? Book Review

When I learned?that a historical fiction novel?called Velva Jean Learns to Fly was about a young woman who learns to fly during the 194o?s, I knew I just had to read it, because I love books about women finding themselves, and doing the seemingly impossible in the face of adversity. The fact that the book was?set during a war was just icing on the cake for me, as I adore historical fiction novels that take place during WWII. I hadn?t heard of Jennifer Niven, nor read the prequel, Velva Jean Learns to Drive, but I knew this?book sounded great, so I gladly accepted a copy to review.

Thankfully, I really enjoyed this book, and managed to read it in just under a day. Some people might be afraid to start off a series in the middle, but I?m not. If an author does her job right, you don?t need to read a previous book to enjoy the current book, as was the case with this book.?Jennifer Niven introduced me to?the beautiful Velva Jean, who was?a spunky, young, married woman from the hills of North Carolina, who decided to leave her miserable life and husband and follow her dreams of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. Velva Jean inherited a truck, taught herself to drive it, and drove herself all the way to Nashville, Tennessee, something that isn?t easy even in today?s world, let alone the 1940?s.

Velva Jean stumbles into town after a few adventures on the road, and meets up with a larger-than-life woman named Gossie, who places money into Velva Jean?s hand when she passes her outside of the Opry, thinking Velva was just standing outside, too poor to afford admission. Gossie takes Velva under her wing, and gives Velva the lowdown on survival in the big city. Velva finds a job, teaches herself how to type, and trying to reconnect with a man who once made a recording of her singing back in Appalachia. She finds some success with her voice, but before long, Velva realizes a bigger dream than the Opry when her brother Johnny Clay takes her along for a flying lesson.

Velva is a natural in the air, and her instructor gives her inspiration towards a new dream?when he reads a Life magazine article about a program that is recruiting female pilots. Velva?s typing skills come in handy, as she goes to work and repeatedly writes?the founder of the program, Jackie Cochran. Jackie is the most famous female pilot in the world, having broken the sound barrier record in 1939, and she created the Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) so that women could fly military aircraft so that male pilots could be released for combat duty overseas.

Even though Velva is too young, too short, and doesn?t have enough flight hours to qualify to even try out for the pilot program, her letter writing campaign pays off, and she is to report for an interview for a shot at getting into the WASP program. As you can imagine, Velva Jean manages to get in, and she is off for training in Texas, leaving Gossie and her musical career behind. Not only did Velva Jean want to help out in the war, she thought she should do it because?several of her brothers and old friends from back home were going to war, too.

Velva?s time during training and her time spent on her first ?secret mission? was very dramatic, involving all sorts of fun, drama, and death. I?ll leave a few things out, so that you have something to look forward to, but I will tell you I was shocked to learn the level of hate focused towards these female aviators, and the lengths some?other men on base went to try to get them out of the program.

The best part of this book is the end, when I learned that President Obama gave the real?WASP?s the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, the Congressional Gold Metal. I liked thinking that a girl just like Velva Jean did exist, and worked her butt off to help fight a war, when most people didn?t want her help.

Velva Jean Learns to Fly is an idyllic tale of a young, na?ve and brave woman who slowly loses her innocence, bringing?a tumultuous era to life. Niven?vividly paints Velva Jean?s?story by writing?chapters from the past and present, projecting Velva?s?true heart?through letters written from her, and her family and friends,?with a beautiful, cinematic glow. Unquestionably, this book is a gripping?read, not to be forgotten as one should?consider how many young women faced overwhelming circumstances during WWII, both at home, and?doing their?share in the factories, in the field hospitals, and up in the air.

To purchase your own copy of Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven, visit Amazon.com now.