69 pages • 2 hours read
William Pene du BoisThe 21 Balloons
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1947A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The 21 Balloons by William Pène du Bois, Professor William Waterman Sherman, seeking a year-long solitary balloon adventure, crash-lands on the island of Krakatoa. There, he discovers a hidden society enriched by diamond mines, living in houses styled after different nations. After spending time on the fascinating island, Sherman and the inhabitants escape just before the island's volcanic eruption. Contains natural disaster scenarios.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
William Pène du Bois's The 21 Balloons captivates with imaginative storytelling and whimsical illustrations, exploring Professor Sherman's adventures on Krakatoa. Critics laud its originality and charm, though some find the pacing uneven. The blend of fantasy with subtle critique of societal norms appeals broadly, despite occasional dated elements in language and technology.
Who Should Read The 21 Balloons?
A reader who enjoys The 21 Balloons by William Pene du Bois would likely appreciate whimsical adventure stories with imaginative plots and rich illustrations. Fans of Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days or Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would find similar delight in this inventive, classic tale.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
1070L