CROMWELL DIXON’S SKY-CYCLE

This fine tribute to teenage inventors everywhere retraces the true early exploits of a handy Ohio lad who converted his bicycle into a homemade dirigible, then successfully (more or less) tested it out in the skies over Columbus. He even went on to win a prize at the 1907 St. Louis Airship Carnival. The picture of smiling confidence in Nez’s bright painted illustrations, Dixon constructs several ungainly devices with active help from his mother, before wheeling out the sky-cycle and soaring off above crowds of admirers in period dress. The author is so focused on keeping the tone upbeat that he neglects to mention the early death of Dixon’s father or the teenager’s own fatal crash in 1911 (a common fate of early aviators)—but he does close with photos of the inventor and his equally determined-looking mom, plus a factual recap. “Dare to dream” is the clear message here. (bibliography) (Informational picture book. 7-9)