Skip to main content

The Big Balloon Race

The Big Balloon Race

Written by Eleanor Coerr & Pictures by Carolyn Croll

Summary: This is a story about a woman named Carlotta Myers and her daughter Ariel. Carlotta was  an aeronaut who flew in hot air balloons. One morning, it was the day of the big race. Balloonists from all over the country would come to compete for the gold medal. Ariel wished that she could ride in the balloon with her mother, but she said no because she was too young. When they got to the grounds of the race, everyone was there. The townspeople, the other competitors, and even the mayor! Carlotta told Ariel that she could stand in the basket until take off, but that she would need to get out when the race was about to begin. Ariel agreed to her mothers conditions and sat in the basket. 
However, this is when the mayor began to give his speech: a long one. Ariel quickly became bored and curled up in a storage space and fell asleep. She did not hear the race begin! When she woke up, she was in the air! Carlotta was shocked when she saw her awaken and suddenly realized, with Ariel's extra weight, they were going to hit the trees! So she threw some of the bags of sand she had out of the basket and up they zoomed! After getting caught in an updraft, an air stream, and a dark rain cloud the basket was headed for the lake! Ariel and Carlotta threw everything that they could spare overboard, but it was no use: they hit the water! Ariel jumped overboard where the water was shallow to help lighten the load, but the basket was already too wet to be lifted back into the air.
Just then, Carlotta saw all of the other competitors heading for them! They were going to beat her and her mom! So Carlotta handed her a rope from the balloon in a last chance effort to win. The basket was easy to pull because the Ballon was still filled with hydrogen. Carlotta jumped out of the basket to help Ariel pull the basket onto land and the next thing they knew, they had won the race! The mayor gave Ariel the gold medal and everyone was so excited for her. 

Review: This exciting story is marked for children grades 2-4 for independent reading. This read is sure to keep students excited with its quick paced plot and exciting ending. The illustrations look like cartoons and portray vivid and beautiful colors. I enjoy this book a lot because it focuses on a time in history that isn't really talked about our history classes. There really was a time in the 1800's when people gathered for large balloon races. This is a cool fact, I think. This chapter book would also be a great book for classroom read alouds. 


-The Green Eyed Reader
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tar Beach

Tar Beach Written & Illustrated Faith Ringgold Overview: This is a beautiful quilt story about a girl who lies on her "tar beach," her rooftop, with her family. She talks about how her father is a construction worker and looks for new work for lengthy amounts of time. The little girl decides that she is going to fly over the union building, the ice cream factory and a great bridge so that they will be hers forever. I believe that she means this in a figurative manner, in a sort of dream. She takes her little brother with her at the end and they fly with their eyes closed.  The paintings in this book have an unclean, but beautiful nature to them. This book provokes deep thinking and even has some historical events in it that would be great to explain to a classroom. 2nd graders would enjoy reading this book by themselves.   To order your own copy:  https://www.amazon.com/Tar-Beach-Faith-Ringgold/dp/0517885441/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512013031&a
1 comment
Read more

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie By Laura Joffe Numeroff & Illustrated by Felicia Bond Summary: This is the tale of a boy who had a mouse as a friend and the boy gave him a cookie. Of course the mouse wanted milk to go along with the cookie, so he asked for some of that too. When the boy gives the mouse the milk, he wants a straw as well, and then a napkin to clean himself up with. Over and over again the boy will meet the mouse's need, but then it turns into another and then another! The story comes full circle after a hair cut, a nap, and other shenanigans when the mouse is tired from all of his activities and asks for a glass of milk. Because when he asks for a glass of milk, most likely, he will want a cookie to go with it! Review:  This story is a cycle and is one that is endearing to all ages. With the illustrations and easy vocabulary, it is great for read aloud or individual student readings.  would recommend this to K-1st grade students because there are a lot o
Post a Comment
Read more

The War That Saved My Life

The War that Saved My Life  By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley  Summary:  This story follows the lives of a young brother and sister duo, Ada and Jamie Smith, during World War II. These siblings have grown up in the same house with their mother, who they call Mam, but with two very different lives. Jamie, a 7 year-old, is the youngest, and for the most part, has a normal life that includes going to school and playing with his friends around the block. Ada, on the other hand, who is 11 years-old, lives the life of a crippled and abused shut-in. This is in thanks to her Mam, who is embarrassed by the fact that she had a daughter with a club foot. Because of her foot, Ada cannot walk correctly and is not allowed to go outside of their London flat. However, that all changes when the Germans invade and their city is predicted to be bombed. For Ada and Jamie's safety, not only from the bombs, but also from Mam, they runaway with Jamie's local school to the countryside in Kent. H
Post a Comment
Read more