Short Synopsis
After Pearl Harbor, Velva Jean signs up for service and gets her wings, risking her life—and her heart.

Full Synopsis
Velva Jean Hart, the fiercely independent heroine of Jennifer Niven's spectacular debut novel, Velva Jean Learns to Drive, returns in a captivating adventure that literally sends her soaring. Bristling at the limitations faced by a woman in rural Appalachia and fueled by the memory of her late Mama telling her to "live out there," Velva Jean hits the road to pursue her dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. But after a string of auditions, she begins to lose hope—until her brother pays her a surprise visit and treats Velva Jean to a flying lesson that ignites a brand-new dream: to become a female pilot. Funny, poignant, and utterly unforgettable, Velva Jean Learns to Fly will have fans cheering all over again.

"Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Niven's writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean." ---Booklist Starred Review

"Niven delivers another tale full of hope, heartbreak, and nostalgia in this sequel to Velva Jean Learns to Drive. . . . A tasteful blend of comedy, inspiration, and endurance." ---Publishers Weekly

"Narrator Emily Durante quickly engages listeners . . . [and] establishes a North Carolina accent that never flags and a tone that clearly defines her feisty grit." ---AudioFile

Booklist Review