Description
Judson Press is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Joe Joe in the City Series
In the third book in the Joe Joe in the City series, Joe Joe is tempted to make quick money illegally to buy a fancy airplane. After being inspired by the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, however, he comes to realize that it is better to work at an ethical, if less lucrative, honest job and fly the simple plane his father made for him.
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Reviews
"A very highly recommended picturebook narrative, I'll Fly My Own Plane capably addresses an all too real pressure affecting young inner city children exposed to drug use and drug sales in urban environments today." —Midwest Book Review
"Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully narrated, I'll Fly My Own Plane is a timely addition to the literature available for urban youth. Elster is to be commended for addressing tough issues youth face in low income, urban areas. The story had well drawn characters and the growth of young Joe Joe grew organically out of the plot in a way that was subtle for the reader. I look forward to sharing this series with my own four year old." —as reviewed on Urban Christian Fiction
"This book is another great resource for Black history, and for life lessons to children. It demonstrates the inner struggles felt by children living in the city, torn between doing the right thing and fitting in. It also provides good role models to these children, which unfortunately many are lacking. This book, and the others in the series, should be shared with children of elementary age. The lessons contained within are important, both historically and social-emotionally." —as reviewed on Andi's Kids Books blog
Author Bio
A resident of Detroit, Michigan, Jean Alicia Elster, JD, is a professional editor and writer whose articles have appeared in national publications such as World Vision and Black Child. In addition to the Joe Joe in the City series, she is the author of the young adult novel Who's Jim Hines? (Wayne State University Press) which was selected as a Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. She also collaborated in the manuscript preparation for the award-winning Dear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue with Today's Youth by Rosa Parks (Lee & Low Books). She is the editor of several books published by Judson Press including Playbook for Christian Manhood: 12 Key Plays for Black Teen Boys by James C. Perkins and Profiles in Black: Phat Facts for Teens by Marvin A. McMickle.
Jean Alicia Elster and her husband are the parents of a son and a daughter.