Copyright © 2008-2017 Jean Alicia Elster. All rights reserved.
Volume Three—I’ll Fly My Own Plane

This third volume introduces Joe Joe to the Tuskegee Airmen. After reading their story, Joe Joe chooses not to take advantage of an opportunity to make “quick money” in an illegal way in order to afford an expensive remote control plane. Instead, he keeps his job at the local corner store and is content to fly the plane his dad has made for him.

"The story teaches Joe Joe that even though he is treated unfairly because of his race, it doesn't change who he is."

Associated Press

"Thanks again for the great stories and characters in the "Joe Joe in the City" series. They are now a staple in every class I teach."

Nichelle Boyd-Robinson, Ph.D.
Assoc. Professor of Curriculum & Instruction
University of Mississppi


From I’ll Fly My Own Plane

Tyrone slowly brought the plane down. When it landed, they both ran to look at it.
“You could get one, too,” Tyrone said to Joe Joe. “We could fly them together.”
“I’d love to have a plane like this. But I’d have to save for months! It’s gotta cost a lot of money…”
"
Just come with me and work for Cecil. He’s always looking for new kids to run for him.”
Joe Joe frowned at the plane. He was thinking about Cecil. He didn’t even know what Cecil did, but the kids who worked for him looked awfully tough. A lot of them were in KC’s gang and in trouble at school a lot. “I don’t know, Tyrone…”
"
Well, just think about it. It’s easy money. Real easy money.”