The Glorious Flight by: Alice and Martin Provensen (historical fiction)

This Caldecott Medal winner displays vivid pictures of a man that is determined to build a working airplane (or a bird as they call it in the book). Louis Blenot, with the support of his family, starts to design and fly airplanes, after seeing one fly over his town. He is injured several times while attempting to fly airplanes, but never gives up. In 1909, he accepts the challenge of lying across the English Chanel, and on July 25 makes the journey. After a 37 minute trip, he is successful in making the journey. He becomes the first man to make the trip.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach the students about the history of airplanes. I would also use this book to introduce the story of the Wright Brothers (N.C history). I could also take a few books on the topic of the history of flying and airplanes, and use a book pass so the students could learn background information on the topic.