The new book, Fly, Girl, Fly! is due out next week, telling the inspiring story of Shaesta Waiz, a bachelors and master’s degree recipient from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a licensed pilot, Dreams Soar’s founding President, and the youngest woman and first Afghan-American to fly solo around the world in a single-engine airplane.
Inspired by Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world, Shaesta faced many challenges before following her dreams and accomplishing a similar goal for herself. Born in an Afghanistan refugee camp, she came with her family to make a new life in America in 1987. As the book tells the story, she overcomes gender stereotypes and her fear of flying before becoming the first in her family to go to college.
Her story spread throughout the general aviation industry in anticipation of her 2017 crossing of five continents, making thirty stops in twenty-two countries across nearly 25,000 nautical miles. Many aviation companies rallied behind the project by providing fuel, maintenance, parts, logistics, security, and support along the way to help make Shaesta’s dream of flying around the world and motivating young people come true.
Shaesta Waiz commented, “I am thrilled to have my story come alive in this beautiful new book to further inspire young girls to follow their dreams. Thanks to author Nancy Roe Pimm and Beaming Books publishing for making it all come together, they have been a joy to work with. I am still so grateful for everyone in the aviation community that helped make my trip of a lifetime such a success. I hope you all enjoy the book and share it with all the children in your life.”
Fly, Girl, Fly! is the first authorized picture-book biography of Shaesta Waiz, and was written by award-winning author, Nancy Roe Pimm, who also authored The Jerrie Mock Story: The First Woman to Fly Solo around the World. The book is published by Beaming Books and illustrated by Alexandra Bye. It is available on Amazon or from local bookstores and advance orders are being taken for September 22 shipments.
Backmatter includes more information about Shaesta’s mission to empower girls to pursue STEM careers, details about her historic trip around the world, information about her nonprofit organization Dreams Soar, and a personal note from Shaesta Waiz encouraging girls to pursue their dreams. Shaesta will donate all profits from the book to the Dreams Soar organization.
