Inspiring book by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez. Text and illustrations gently remind young readers that strength and courage come from within and how powerful imaginations are. You can make the world a better place with "those beautiful and brilliant minds".

Afterword refers to The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton and the story of enslaved people escaped through flight.

The Year We Learned to Fly takes a brother and sister through lessons on how to imagine a better situation than the one they are in. When the kids are bored, fighting, being left out, ext. the grandma teaches them to "fly." Fly is using their imaginations to envision a better situation, in these cases through play. It references back to their ancestors and how they imagined a better world for themselves and took steps to create that world. Here the brother and sister are left out of their new neighborhoods group of friends, so the "fly" on their own (they start playing on their own). Surely, one by one, each of the neighbor kids comes and starts playing with them. It is beautifully illustrated story of having the power to make your situation better. ( )

I am obsessed with this book. There is diversity. There is heart. There are amazing lessons to be learned about bravery and confidence and breaking down barriers.

Even Scott got to the end and said it was fantastic. I need to own this one.

If you loved Jacqueline Woodson's "The Day You Begin," you will love this one equally. ( )

"The Year We Learned to Fly" by Jacqueline Woodson is a touching story about three friends, Frannie, Tad, and Shay, who navigate the challenges of growing up in the 1960s. It is a great book to have in a classroom because it explores themes of friendship, family, and social justice in a way that is accessible and relatable to young readers. ( )