Wow. Very rarely does a book leave me speechless. I knew very little about the WASPs before reading this book, now I’m ready to become a woman fighter pilot (just kidding). My husband is a Naval Aviator, so I was excited to read this book about Hazel Ying Lee. To be able to get a woman's perspective on flying. Hazel was the first Chinese American woman to fly for the military and the first female Asian American to receive a pilot license. I’m in awe of the grit and determination the women pilots had.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“It didn’t matter that she was of Chinese descent. No one could see her race; no one could see her gender. In the sky, she wasn’t Chinese or American, man or woman, visible or invisible . . . she was just herself.”

“For most women, groomed to deny their own capabilities, to distrust themselves, and to defer to men, the decision to fly was fraught with fears, not only of flying, but of being independent. In an age when women were encouraged to stay grounded, Hazel’s wanting to fly was the ultimate expression of individuality.”

“…she proved that anything is possible. Gender and racial barriers never stood in her way.”


This book wonderfully tells Hazel story. I loved learning of other WASP members too. The author did a great job with her research.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Advanced Reader Copy Review:

Hazel Lee Yang was a female pioneer and an American Hero. She was determined to live life on her terms. She was the first Asian American Woman to obtain a pilot's license. She was determined to help in the World War II war effort, first with the invasion of China and trying to fight the Japanese to return to the United States and join the WASPs to help ferry airplanes. Hazel Lee Yang deserved a book and many more accolades because her story was unique and needed to be told. My grandmother was a WAVE during WWII, and women did not get a lot of attention or thanks for their efforts during the war. Hazel's story is about a feminist icon trying to do her bit and doing something she loves: flying. I loved this book and will recommend it to anyone looking for books on World War II.

American Flygirl is an amazing biography about Hazel Ying Lee and her courage.

This book was absolutely full of information that I had no idea about (even as someone born in Portland!) and I took my time learning and relishing in Hazel’s story. Throughout her life, Hazel encouraged everyone she came into contact with and pushed the boundaries of life. Her wit, passion, and strength was inspiring to everyone she came into contact with - before and after death.

If you love learning about untold American stories that feature the truth about being a woman and a Chinese-American during WW2, I strongly recommend American Flygirl.

American Flygirl, by Oregon-based author Susan Tate Ankeny, tells the true story of Hazel Ying Lee (1912-1944), the first Chinese-American woman to fly for the United States military. She was also the first Asian American woman to earn a pilot's licence and to join the renowned Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs).

Lee was trained by the famed aviator Al Greenwood at the Chinese Flying Club of Portland, a flying school founded in 1932 in response to Japan's invasion of Manchuria. Having gained her pilot's license that year, Lee went to China with the goal of joining the Chinese Air Force, but was rejected as a woman. She was forced to fly for a private airline.

Lee was in Canton (today's Guangzhou) when it was captured by the Japanese in late 1939. Having returned to America via Hong Kong, she joined the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) in 1943, which later became the WASPs. In 1944, she was among the first women pilots to fly “Pursuit” or fighter aircraft for the United States military.

Lee's story is both informative and inspiring. To serve her country and ancestral land, she broke every common stereotype and challenged every social restriction on the basis of gender and ethnicity. “She experienced a surge of empowerment when flying solo. No one could tell her what to do or how to do it. It didn't matter whether she was man or woman, white or Asian. She was in control of her fate.”

Furthermore, American Flygirl is a valuable book for readers who are interested in the history of women aviators in America. It is clear that the author is passionate and highly knowledgeable in this regard, including the life stories of Amelia Earhart and Jackie Cochran and especially members of the WASPs.

Indeed, the author's voice is confident, fluent and distinct, and at times witty and assertive, when writing about this history, demonstrating a broad knowledge of the political and social contexts, as well as the individual achievements, key events, and the numerous aircraft makes and models involved.

In sharp contrast, the author appears to have limited knowledge of modern Chinese history and the history of Chinese diaspora in America. When writing about this history, her observations seem limited and superficial, drawing on archival research and brief, fanciful imagination whose results are used to fill the gaps between what she does know and love.

In fact, the author's concerns with the plight of Chinese Americans – and Chinese American women in particular – are generic and generalised, lacking depth, and borrowed from secondhand accounts of the lived experiences of early generations of Chinese Americans. It may be suggested that, without the tumultuous events in China in the first half of the 20th century as a setting, it is unlikely that her portrayal of Lee would have been any different if Lee was an American woman of Japanese, Korean, Italian, Spanish or even African background.

In other words, it seems that Lee is the subject of this book more because she was a woman than she was a Chinese American woman. Specifically, the author's admiration and advocacy for the WASPs and other women aviators is so prominent that perhaps the book should be retitled as “American Flygirls”, as if Lee's story is just a lead-in to the much greater and grander and certainly more glamorous stories of the WASPs and other women aviators in America.

This may sound harsh, as due credits should be given to the author who has done extensive research and shed considerable light on the involvement of Chinese American pilots both before and throughout China's war against Japan. The contributions of this small community is worth preserving, a crucial chapter in the history of Chinese diaspora in America, and deserves to be known by a wider audience in both the English-speaking and Chinese-speaking worlds.

It is hoped that this book, together with the archival resources that have inspired its writing, can lead to further research in the history of Chinese Americans by #OwnVoices scholars and authors.

Meanwhile, the book can benefit from further proofreading in order to remove the many typos, grammar and punctuation errors, and awkward sentences. Any experienced editor can amend obvious mistakes such as the description that Hazel's father immigrated to Portland in 1880 while fleeing China “after fighting broke out between the Nationalists and the Communists”. Another unforgivable mistake is to refer to Chiang Kai-Shek as “General Kai-Shek”.

Other minor issues include the doubtful presence of the Red Cross workers in Canton and the overall South China in 1938, and the lack of citations of many bold statements in the book, such as the reception of Robert McCawley Short in China. It would also be nice to have relevant archival images and other documentation displayed in the book.

Finally, the paragraphs describing Clifford Louie's and Arthur Chin's careers are overly simplified. In Louie's case, while it is obvious that some details are taken straight from Wikipedia, it is intriguing that only those of his experiences outside of China are mentioned. Could this be another indicator that the book was written for mainstream American readers, instead of Chinese American readers and even Chinese readers?

Note: This book review is based on a digital copy of American Flygirl supplied by the book's publisher via NetGalley.

Hazel Ying Lee was born to fly. In 1932, the 19 year old American daughter of Chinese immigrants set out to become a pilot, inspired by Amelia Earhart to follow her dream. After becoming the first Chinese-American female pilot in the country, Hazel went to China with hopes of flying for her parents' home country against the invading Japanese, only to find her role significantly limited due to being a woman. Upon returning to the United States, Hazel jumped at the chance to sign-up for the program that would eventually become known as the WASPs, women pilots who were responsible for transporting aircraft across the country in support of the war effort during WWII.

Though Hazel is the main focus of the book, the story of the WASP program -from hopeful beginning to bitter end- is told, as well as the stories of several women with whom Hazel served. The women faced discrimination from the military they were helping as well as their fellow male pilots despite the fact that the women had better safety records and were more willing to fly in questionable airplanes. They had the guts and determination to do what they loved no matter the cost.

Despite the obstacles of discrimination and racism throughout her life, Hazel lived fearlessly. The book does a wonderful job of telling her story and capturing the woman on the page. I felt like I got to know Hazel, which made the end even more heartbreaking. Inspiring, funny, infuriating, and sweet, it's a great read about a remarkable woman.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this advance copy.

American Flygirl is a historical account of Hazel Ying Lee's life as a Chinese American and the first Asian woman to get her pilot's license. Hazel Ying Lee faced significant hurdles from racism during that era as the novel repeatedly states. Hazel went on to become a WASP during WWII and had an incredible life journey. I appreciated learning more about her and the challenges she faced to do what she loved. Her story needed to be shared.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read the advanced readers copy.

Hazel Ying Lee (1912-1944) was the first Chinese born American woman to hold a pilot’s licence in the USA and the last WASP to die in WW2. Born in Portland, Oregon, one of eight children, Hazel became hooked on flying after taking a short flight in a biplane at an air show. Working unpaid in her family restaurant since graduating high school, she needed to find paid work to pay for flying lessons and became an elevator girl in a Portland department store where she had to hide her Chinese appearance so as not to offend the (white) customers.

After obtaining her pilot’s licence Hazel and another woman, Virginia Wong were accepted into the second group of American Chinese being trained in Portland as pilots for China’s defense against the invading Japanese. Unfortunately, when she arrived in China she was told female pilots not be allowed to join the air force, so instead she flew part time for Chinese commercial airlines who had lost their pilots to the ongoing war. Back in America Hazel joined what would later become the WASPs, ferrying new and repaired planes to airfields across America to relieving male pilots for active duty.

This is a fascinating, well researched account, not just of Hazel Lee, a remarkable woman, who fought through hardship and racial prejudice with humour and resolve, but also of the formation of the WASPs, the women recruits and their contribution to the American war effort, largely unrecognised at the time. After being unaccountably disbanded 8 months before the end of the war (with planes still sitting on airfields waiting to be delivered), it would be 30 years before women were allowed to fly military aircraft in the US air force and another year before Congress finally granted the WASPs military status and eventually veteran status. Recommended to those interested in reading the untold tales of some of Americas unsung wartime heroines.

This book was a gift from the Publisher

American Flygirl

When she was nineteen years old, Hazel Ying Lee decided she wanted to be a pilot. She convinced the head of the local flight school that just like Amelia Earhart she’d make a good pilot. She became the first Asian American woman to be granted a pilot’s license and then went off to China to join the Chinese Air Force. Though she flew with the group they would not let her go into combat and she eventually came home.

When the WASPs (Womens Air-Force Service Pilots) Program was announced, she was one of the first to sign up. She became one of a thousand women who spent a good part of WW2 ferrying new planes from the manufacturers to air force bases to be taken overseas. Her one wish was to become a fighter pilot.

The WASPs flew every plane the USAAF used in WW2, up to and including B-17s. As a pilot she was as good as any man, but her gender and ethnicity stopped her. Today she could qualify as a fighter pilot or astronaut, but not in 1940s USA. Unfortunately, she was killed near the end of the war while ferrying a fighter plane to be used in Europe. Great Story.

Loved this story, a fascinating and riveting biography about the first Asian American woman, born and grew up in Portland, Oregon’s Chinatown, who earned a pilot’s license, her experience as a commercial pilot in China pre-World War II & her family’s experiences while under Japanese attack, training to become a U.S. military pilot when she returned to the U.S., and her experiences serving as a WASP during WWII. I recommend this especially for those who enjoy “hidden figures” nonfiction about little known contributions from strong & capable women traditionally excluded from male jobs. In fact, WASPS were never official members of the military until 1977, Before then, they did not receive military pay, health insurance and other entitlements given to male pilots. I’m grateful to Netgalley for the free ARC. This book was an educational eye-opener, well written in a style that immediately drew me in. I wanted to shout “Go Hazel” all the way to the end.

Such an interesting read that held/kept my attention!! I love these types of reads and had the worst time putting it down :)

I was curious about this book and decided to try it out although I’m not usually a fan of reading about war or historical events. For. The time it started until the end I was glued to this book. Hazel Yang Lee and her adventurous spirit won me over. I loved learning about how she became the first Asian American woman to obtain a pilot’s license. I loved watching her pursue her dreams of flying instead of the more traditional path she was encouraged to follow. It was also nice to have background on the environment at that time and how highly discouraged it was for women to want anything outside of the home. I was proud of Hazel Yang Lee and all her fellow classmates for going after their joy and not being afraid to stick out. This book definitely left a lasting mark on me. I wish I had learned of Hazel Yang Lee sooner and am grateful I was able to learn about her.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the amazing arc.

Hazel Ying Lee was the first Asian American to earn a pilot's license and join the WASPs. This book told of Hazel's love of flying from a very young age. It also told of the many courageous women that advanced the war efforts by freeing male pilots to move to the front in WWII.

Prior to this book, I had never heard of Hazel Ying Lee. I found myself totally engrossed in her story. This book read beautifully. It made me feel many emotions. I was angry, I was sad, I even laughed at times, I wish that I had the passion for anything as much as Hazel did for flying! These women were total baddies!!

The author stated, " I am no longer the same person I was when I began writing Hazel's story" And, I would have to agree. I am no longer the same person after reading her story. I will think of Hazel and her courageous friends for many days,

American Flygirl is an amazing, insightful biography into the life of Hazel Ying Lee the first Asian American woman to earn a pilots license and join the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots). Hazel was a determined, fearless and dedicated pilot and friend. Reading her story she overcame every obstacle in her way to pursue her dream of flying. In the face of discrimination for being a woman and from anti-Asian policies Hazel kept going and proved herself a talented pilot.

Ankeny's writing style mixed the facts of Hazel's life into a narrative story that felt like we were living it right along with her. I also appreciated how many other women at the time both established and trying to make their was as pilots were discussed as they were a part of Hazel's journey. At the end of the war the WASPs were disbanded and their contributions sealed away. American Flygirl brings light to the way Hazel and the other WASPs make a significant impact in America during WW2. Their names deserved to be remembered and this book provides an important recount of the history of Hazel's life on the ground and in the air.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!

Susan Tate Ankeny's "American Flygirl," releasing on May 28, 2024, takes readers on a thrilling journey into the world of aviation, weaving a narrative of empowerment, determination, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. Against the backdrop of historical aviation challenges and societal norms that restricted the ambitions of women, the novel introduces a captivating protagonist who defies expectations and soars to new heights.
The novel, set in a pivotal period of aviation history, immerses readers in the challenges faced by female pilots breaking into a male-dominated industry. Ankeny's meticulous research is evident in the authentic portrayal of the aviation landscape, creating a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The depiction of the protagonist's journey is not merely a story of flight but a symbolic representation of empowerment and resilience.

The strength of "American Flygirl" lies in its well-crafted characters, particularly the protagonist who becomes a beacon of determination. Navigating societal prejudices and defying gender norms, the character resonates as a symbol of empowerment, inspiring readers to challenge limitations and pursue their passions unapologetically. Ankeny skillfully blends historical accuracy with a compelling narrative, making the protagonist's journey relatable and emotionally impactful.
The pacing of the novel is masterfully executed, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Ankeny's prose not only propels the narrative forward but also vividly describes aviation sequences, instilling a palpable sense of excitement and tension. The novel goes beyond being a tale of aviation; it serves as a powerful exploration of themes such as perseverance, resilience, and the courage to confront societal expectations.

"American Flygirl" is a triumphant celebration of trailblazing women who dared to break barriers both in the skies and on the ground. The novel's overarching message encourages readers to embrace their ambitions, challenge societal constraints, and reach for their aspirations, regardless of prevailing norms. It stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who defy expectations, making it a compelling and inspiring read.

In conclusion, Susan Tate Ankeny's "American Flygirl" is not just a novel; it is an empowering narrative that transcends its historical setting. Through a captivating protagonist and a richly detailed depiction of aviation history, the novel encourages readers to break free from limitations and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. Ankeny's work is a must-read for those who seek tales of empowerment, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Thanks to Netgalley and Citadel Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.

Oh, a WASP! Sweetwater isn’t too far from me (in Texas terms), and as someone who loves aviation, I have always been fascinated by the WASPs. Like so many stories, women are forgotten about…there was no way women flew…well we sent all the men to war, so who else would fly here?? People know about Earhart but fail to remember she wasn’t the only woman pilot.

American Flygirl shares the story of Hazel Ying Lee, a nineteen-year-old American daughter of Chinese immigrants who grew up during exclusion laws. She helped break multiple barriers for women and Chinese in a time of war. Thank you, Susan Tate Ankeny, for sharing Hazel Ying Lee’s story. She is a hero and we need to hear more about her.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for an advanced copy.

Susan Tate Ankeny, American Flygirl, Citadel Press, Kensington Books, April 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

American Flygirl is a wonderful amalgam of stories associated with women and flying, from the main protagonist Hazel and her companions, including their leader Jackie Corcoran, in the Women Airforce Service Pilots. All of these women battled prejudice, and some of the details are harrowing. At the same time, the women’s resilience and the personal face given this by is an impressive memorial to the women, those who supported them, and the changes they were able to inspire in women’s role in this most exciting and demanding occupation.

The prologue, set in 1943 shows Hazel Ying Lee in front of an aircraft in khaki overalls (too large, they are men’s) anticipating being ‘washed out’ of her training because of a mishap. This prologue establishes a context, a snippet of aviation history at the time, and an insight into Hazel’s character. From Hazel’s birth in 1912 and growing up in the 1920s in Portland, USA, to her time in China and Hong Kong, her graduation from the Chinese flying school in Portland, to the menial jobs she was forced to accept because of prejudice, and then flying and the dangers, Susan Tate Ankeny brings to this story a woman of character intensely alive.

As well as expanding Hazel’s story to include the neighbourhood, neighbours, companions at the flying school and their late attempts to join the Chinese aviation fleet against Japanese incursion, Tate Ankeny provides an excellent portrait of WASPs in the aviation industry. The story includes the prejudice Hazel suffered as a woman, and as Chinese, as well as shedding so much light on the dangers WASPs met from male companions jealous of women’s entry to the world of war time aviation. As searing as these truths are, they do not detract from a story that is essentially positive. Perhaps this is because of Hazel’s heroic qualities, perhaps because of the way in which her portrait is developed as a woman of smiles, warmth, strength and courage.

It has taken a writer who has insight, a sense of history in its minutia and broader aspects and a love for her subject to produce a memoir with impact. Susan Tate Ankeny is such a writer and American Flygirl is such a memoir.

In this incredible biography of twentieth-century pilot Hazel Ying Lee, readers get to explore twentieth-century America through the eyes of a second-generation Chinese woman who loves to fly. Following her childhood, her training as a pilot, and her civilian deployment to China in the 1930s, readers gain an understanding of the growth and popularity of air travel and piloting in the early twentieth century, and particularly for women like Hazel Ying Lee. Ankeny also brings in the role of women pilots (aviatrices) during World War II as part of the WAFS under Jackie Cochran, where Hazel Ying Lee was the only Chinese American female pilot. Ankeny’s prose style is a mix of fiction and fact, balancing the larger narrative of piloting, Chinese America, and women’s history with the smaller personal narrative of Hazel Ying Lee. A fascinating insight into so many histories, Susan Tate Ankeny has done an incredible job of mixing all of these histories and narratives to create this fascinating book. By spotlighting this overlooked narrative and the fascinating story of Hazel Ying Lee, Ankeny brings another overlooked historical woman to life and places her in the larger historical narrative of aviation history, the Great Depression, and World War II.

I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed this book. It was written in a very engaging manner that I found easy to read and enjoyable. That being said, I think perhaps the reference materials about Lee's life were a little thin to write an entire biography about her exclusively, so much of this book is about the WASPs as a whole. I still found it to contain a lot of interesting information, but readers should know going into it that this book is not just about Lee. That being said, this is a great addition to the growing list of books shining a light on the WASPs, so check it out!

Wow, I had no idea about the first women aviator and added the first Asian American woman and what she went through to learn to fly. HazelYing Lee was so young yet so determined to learn to fly. I would say she had a free spirit and was not afraid to achieve her dreams. In a time were women had to fight for their rights to do what men do she and others overcame those norms. One could say many factors played a part such as meeting a former pilot who was willing to teach women at that time. A great historical recollection of the period and the young woman who changed history. Susan Tate Ankeny takes you back in time to experience the challenges and joys women went through.

I loved learning all about female pilots.

Especially about Hazel Ying Lee. Hazel was such a trailblazer. I can't imagine her ever saying no to anyone or anything or even standing down when she wanted something.

She had such an interesting life, a Chinese American woman who got her pilots license when few pilots were women.
She went and fought against the Japanese in China.
Came back to the United States and was in the WASPs.

I was fascinated with the book and applauded everything that Hazel accomplished, the prejudices that she had to overcome, and ultimately getting to fly many different planes.

The downside of the book was some of the timeline was choppy. I still don't fully understand why Hazel left China to go back to the United States. Did her family stay in CHina? It didnt sound like it, but I wasn't sure.

The training for WASP sometimes didn't apply to Hazel. I felt that it was a bit long and detracted from Hazel's story.

Overall a great book touching about racism, sexism, and different cultural norms during World War 2.