Davy and Jo Michaud have been recently orphaned. Taken in by a distant relative, Ruthie Reynard, a famous aviator, they are now working with a group of stunt pilots who spend their time wing-walking, leaping from plane to plane, and flying through fireworks! But though the stunts are dangerous, the real threat is building behind the scenes. The KKK is on the rise in Maine that summer, inspired by the racial fears promoted in Birth of a Nation. They spew hatred of immigrants, Blacks, Jews, and French Catholics―that last, a rage that will be directed at Davy and Jo. When Davy and Jo cross paths with the Klan, they get tangled up in a terrible revenge plan and held as hostages. Can they escape with their lives?
Picture it. Maine, summer of 1924, and the Ku Klux Klan is on the rise.
I’d been unsure about this book for two years. I was intrigued by the time period and the subject of a flying circus, but I was fearful about the inclusion of the Ku Klux Klan. I finally decided to give it a shot, and I’m glad I did.
A story about two orphaned children who are whisked away by a distant relative to work at a flying circus is such a truly unique concept. I don’t think I’ve read anything about a flying circus before. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes view of how all the death-defying stunts are accomplished. Rest assured, every precaution is taken. It’s all perfectly safe. As safe as walking on the wings of a biplane can be.
I had a hard time picturing the old-timey bi-planes and automobiles in my mind. A black-and-white picture in the back of the book helped a little.
The Ku Klux Klan is a subject not to be taken lightly. Thankfully, none of the Klan’s more violent acts were mentioned. According to the Author’s Note, there was a Northern version of the Klan in Maine that wasn’t just hateful towards Blacks but immigrants too. Their multiple rants about ‘white supremacy’ and ‘lower races’ made me roll my eyes. It was almost laughable how ridiculous their beliefs were. What baffled me the most was how proud they were of their sick hatred. And why did these idiots call immigrants ‘filthy’? What’s with that? Why is that part of it for them?
Be sure to read the Author’s Note to learn what real events in the author’s family history inspired this story.
Overall, this is a thrilling, quick read that all fans of historical fiction should read.