The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois is a Newbery winner that frequently finds itself on a variety of homeschool reading lists. It makes a perfect fun read-aloud for summer!
The book is a well-written, humorous yarn about Professor Sherman’s balloon ride that lands him in an “undisclosed location” and an explosive situation! Lots of technical details to pore over for the more science-minded, and an imaginative read for the more literary-minded.
Originally published in 1947, this fantasy-adventure story will be enjoyed by young and old alike. And it makes a great summer read-aloud!
Additional Resources
Recommend you just enjoy the book for summer, but if you are looking for something a bit more formal….
Lesson Plan: Fun With Balloons
Free plan based on the book.
Lighter than Air: Building a Hot Air Balloon
From the National Air and Space Museum.
Twenty-One Balloons
Discussion questions and book projects from KathiMitchell.com.
Volcanoes: A Unit Study
Tie-in.
Keep Reading
Make a Balloon Rocket ~ Summer Fun Activity
Make a balloon rocket with these four items!
Around the World in 80 Days: A Unit Study
Five minutes too late! Phileas Fogg was due back in London on December 21 no later than 8:45 PM. Unit resources.
Jules Verne: A Unit Study
Jules Verne was born on February 8, 1828, at a time and a place of rapid scientific developments. Unit resources.