Meg Christie dreams of becoming a pilot just like her heroes Amelia Earhart and Beryl Markham. Meg lives in Cape Breton, where life is a struggle for coal miners' families, especially during World War II. Meg's aunt suffers from tuberculosis, her uncle is an alcoholic and her cousins are neglected. Meg's family does not understand her dream of becoming a pilot. Miss MacKinnon, the new teacher who falls in love with Meg's cousin, Caleb, encourages Meg. However, the school committee dismisses Miss MacKinnon for her modern attitudes and Caleb is killed during the war. Meg is given the chance to fly when a pilot, who is a friend of Caleb's, returns from the war and offers her flying lessons. Meg's voice regarding the technical, historical and cultural matters will lead to discussions about labour issues, gender equality, the war, the history of coal mining and the dynamics in family life and in an extended family. .

English language arts grade 8 (2009).