Twenty-one Balloons

This Newbery Medal-winning classic tells the extraordinary tale of Professor William Waterman Sherman, who embarks on a solo hot-air balloon journey across the Pacific for a year of quiet contemplation. His plans are dramatically interrupted when he's discovered just three weeks later, floating in the Atlantic amidst the wreckage of twenty additional balloons. The book unfolds as Sherman recounts his incredible adventure, revealing how he encountered a hidden society on the volcanic island of Krakatoa, their ingenious inventions, and the dramatic events leading up to the island's famous eruption in 1883. It's a captivating blend of historical fiction, adventure, and mystery, perfect for children aged 8-11, and a fantastic read-aloud for younger listeners from 6 up. Parents will appreciate its rich vocabulary, imaginative storytelling, and the opportunity to discuss history, geography, and the spirit of invention.

Professor William Waterman Sherman just wants to be alone. So he decides to take a year off and spend it crossing the Pacific Ocean in a hot-air balloon the likes of which no one has ever seen. But when he is found after just three weeks floating in the Atlantic among the wreckage of twenty hot-air balloons, naturally, the world is eager to know what happened. How did he end up with so many balloons . . . and in the wrong ocean?