Sherri L. Smith

Her novel Flygirl was selected as one of the American Library Association's 2010 Best Books for Young Adults.

After leaving Disney, Smith worked with a construction company at Los Angeles International Airport.

She is writing novels for young adults, including Flygirl,[3] Sparrow,[4][5] Orleans,[6] and Lucy the Giant.

These type of novels aim to create empathy in readers and to help them conceptualize effects of natural disasters on their way of life.

The book takes place in a speculative future where New Orleans has been devastated by several more powerful Hurricanes after Katrina, and a deadly virus has formed as a result.

To keep the virus contained, the United States detaches from New Orleans and sets up a wall, guarded by the military to ensure that nobody comes in or out.

She is a sixteen year old girl living with the O-Positive Tribe with her pregnant leader Lydia.

Fen soon meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into Orleans illegally looking for a cure.

Flygirl (2010) is about a young woman who joins the American Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program during World War II, which allowed women to fly planes in non-combat roles.

The protagonist is Ida Mae Jones, a light-skinned African-American woman who passes for white in order join up and get the chance to fly.