Jack Knight’s Brave Flight: How One Gutsy Pilot Saved the U.S. Air Mail Service

This fast-paced picture book outlines the landmark night flight of pilot James H. “Jack” Knight (1892–1945), who helped extend the life of the U.S. Air Mail Service by serving as a relay pilot in the first overnight cross-country U.S. airmail delivery. In snappy, climactic prose, Esbaum traces the obstacles Knight encountered, including bodily discomfort and an unavoidable blizzard in Illinois: “This is no ordinary mail flight. This is an all-day, all-night, coast-to-coast race to save America’s struggling Air Mail Service.” Innerst’s atmospheric illustrations conjure the rough elements and close quarters in deep blues and cool gray washes, with fluid figures, stamped text, and finely brushed details adding texture. A riveting journey about an undersung aviator. Back matter includes creators’ notes and a timeline sharing highlights in the history of the U.S. mail. Ages 7–10. (Mar.)