Families who loved The Flying Girl: How Aída de Acosta Learned to Soar by Margarita Engle often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the word no or feels limited by others' expectations of what they can achieve. It is a powerful tool for children who have big, unconventional dreams but lack the confidence to pursue them in the face of skepticism. The story follows Aida de Acosta, a young Cuban American woman in 1903 Paris who became the first woman to fly a motorized aircraft, despite being told that girls belonged on the ground. Through poetic prose and soaring imagery, the book explores themes of gender equity, bravery, and the intersection of science and courage. It is perfectly suited for preschoolers and early elementary students, offering a gentle yet firm reminder that history belongs to those who are brave enough to look up. You might choose this to inspire a sense of agency and to show that curiosity often requires a dash of defiance.
