Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot" (Junior Library Guild Selection)

A true story of chocolate, bubble gum, and hope. After World War II the United States and Britain airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering. To lift their spirits, he began dropping chocolate and gum by parachute. Michael O. Tunnell tells an inspiring tale of candy and courage, illustrated with Lt. Halvorsen's personal photographs, as well as letters and drawings from the children of Berlin to their beloved "Uncle Wiggly Wings." Back matter includes a biographical note, a historical note, a source list, an index, and a note from the author. Click here to see a short film about the Berlin Airlift, created and narrated by Gail Halvorsen. Read more about Gail Halvorsen, the other candy bombers, and other American heroes during the Berlin Airlift in Andrei Cherney's The Candy Bombers This book is good for your brain because: World History, Government, Genre Study, Non-fiction narrative One WWII pilot's mission to lift the spirits of children living in war-torn Berlin in 1945 comes to life in this moving middle-grade historical account. After World War II the United States and Britain airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering. To bring a bit of hope, he began dropping chocolate and chewing gum by parachute. What began as a one-time gesture of compassion turned into an official U.S. Air Force operation. “Operation Little Vittles” grew, as more and more pilots volunteered to drop the parachutes, and donations of candy and cloth poured in from all over. This inspiring story of one man's contribution to the rebuilding of a country after war is a unique look at history.Illustrated with archival photographs, personal photographs from Lt. Gail Halvorsen—the Chocolate Pilot—letters, and documents, Candy Bomber is an important and interesting addition to studies of World War II. **A true story of chocolate, bubble gum, and hope.**After World War II the United States and Britain airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering. To lift their spirits, he began dropping chocolate and gum by parachute.Michael O. Tunnell tells an inspiring tale of candy and courage, illustrated with Lt. Halvorsen's personal photographs, as well as letters and drawings from the children of Berlin to their beloved "Uncle Wiggly Wings."Back matter includes a biographical note, a historical note, a source list, an index, and a note from the author.Click here to see a short film about the Berlin Airlift, created and narrated by Gail Halvorsen.Read more about Gail Halvorsen, the other candy bombers, and other American heroes during the Berlin Airlift in Andrei Cherney's __The Candy Bombers__**This book is good for your brain because:**World History, Government, Genre Study, Non-fiction narrative Candy was so scarce in Berlin in 1948 that when American Air Force Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen gave a few sticks of gum to a group of German children, they tore the wrappers into strips to pass around so they all could have a chance to smell them. The children's excitement inspired Halvorsen to start "candy drops," parachuting down small packages of treats as the U.S. Air Force flew food into West Berlin "World War II was over, and Berlin was in ruins. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering. They were hungry and afraid. The young pilot wanted to help, but what could one man in one plane do?"--dust jacket flap.