This book is out-dated so there would need to be a discussion about the use of certain terms for minority populations. Nothing in the book is used in a derogatory manner, but the terms are outdated and need to be said as such.
I picked this book up from a library sale because I liked the old fashion look to it, only to find out that it is a Newbery medal winner and is still on a lot of must read lists. I think it could make a fun read aloud to older kids but there is a lot of scientific and math jargon that could get lost to the audience. In this way though, it might be a nice book for a science or math related theme.
Professor William Waterman Sherman decides to retire from teaching in San Francisco and travel the world in a balloon in 1883. Only due to a seagull attack, he ends up on the island of Krakatoa right before it explodes, but not before he's had time to learn about its strange inhabits.
I thought this book was fun because the main characters are from San Francisco, but also it has that voice of older classics like Gulliver's Travels, where the narrator is regaling his travels and telling a tale that none would have imagined for themselves. I had hoped he would have had more stops, but there is only the one and I think the novel would have benefited from stops at multiple strange locals. For those interested in the history and how to of Ballooning, this book would be a treat, though I don't know how strong that interest is in today's youths.
Intended reading level: Grades 3-6. Interest level: Grade 4
Genre: adventure, fiction
Comparable titles: Around the World in 80 Days, Gulliver's Travels, James and the Giant Peach
Book connections: math and science for ballooning, balloons, fake diamonds, international food day, volcano experiments
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