Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot : a true story of the Berlin Airlift and the candy that dropped from the sky
(Book)

FRANKENBUYZEN, GIJSBERT VAN.

The true story of a young German girl, Mercedes Simon, and of the American pilot, Gail Halvorsen, who shared hope and joy with the children of West Berlin by dropping candy-filled parachutes during the Airlift.

A True Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy that Dropped from the Sky. Life was grim in 1948 West Berlin, Germany. Josef Stalin blockaded all ground routes coming in and out of Berlin to cut off West Berliners from all food and essential supplies. Without outside help, over 2.2 million people would die. Thus began the Berlin Airlift, a humanitarian rescue mission that utilized British and American airplanes and pilots to fly in needed supplies. As one of the American pilots participating in the Airlift mission, Lt. Gail S. Halvorsen helped to provide not only nourishment to the children but also gave them a reason to hope for a better world. From one thoughtful, generous act came a lifelong relationship between Lt. Gail and the children of Berlin. This is the true story of a seven-year-old girl named Mercedes who lived in West Berlin during the Airlift and of the American who came to be known as the Chocolate Pilot. Artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen's evocative paintings illuminate Margot Theis Raven's powerful story of hope, friendship and remembrance. About the Author: Margot Theis Raven has been a professional writer working in the fields of radio, television, magazines, newspapers, and children's books for thirty years. She has won five national awards, including an IRA Teacher's Choice award. Ms. Raven earned her degree in English from Rosemont College and attended Villanova University for theater study, and Kent State University for German language. Ms. Raven splits her time living in Concord, MA, Charleston, SC and West Chesterfield, NH. About the Illustrator: Born in the Netherlands, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Holland. He immigrated to the United States in 1976, and years later he became a children's book illustrator. Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is Nick's ninth children's book with Sleeping Bear Press.,provided by publisher / book jacket.

Elementary Grade.

850,Lexile.

Accelerated Reader,4.7.

Reading Counts!,4.6.

Storytelling Award--Stories for Young Listeners Category, Winner, 2007

Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Nominee, Runner-up, 2006

Children's Crown Honor Book, Winner, 2004

Show Me Award Nominee, Runner-up, 2004

"Living the Dream" Book Award--Manhattan Country School, New York, NY, Winner, 2004

Children's Choices--IRA, Winner, 2003, Texas Bluebonnet Runner-up, Runner-up, 2003, Beehive Award Nominee, Runner-up, 2003,

Midwest Independent Publisher Award, Winner, 2002