Newbery Medal Winner
The Twenty-One Balloons
by William Pène du Bois
Summary
William Pene du Bois spins the tall tale of Professor William Waterman Sherman, who sets off across the Pacific in a giant balloon and crash lands on the volcanic island of Krakatoa. There he discovers a secret society of families who live atop vast diamond mines and have built fantastical inventions to make their lives easy. The novel blends adventure, science fiction, and inventive humor, all set against the real eruption of Krakatoa in 1883.
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Historical Context & Significance
Pene du Bois both wrote and illustrated the book, and he later cofounded The Paris Review as its first art editor.