The Balloon Boy of San Francisco

Rebeccasreads highly recommends THE BALLOON BOY OF SAN FRANCISCO as a lively recreation of the life & times of the golden years of pioneers, as seen through the eyes of a young newspaper boy in search of fame & fortune. Along the way he meets all sorts of movers & shakers, con artists & real artists, yet nothing tops his death-defying trip aloft which coined him the name of "balloon boy".

The Balloon Boy of San Francisco is a delightful true story that readers of all ages will enjoy. Ready Gates, a newsboy, and his family moved from Philadelphia to San Francisco to find their fortune in gold during the 1850s. Ready, a 14 year old red-haired adventurous boy, will take us on many journeys throughout the story. The reader is given a glimpse into history of the California Gold Rush and everyday life in San Francisco in 1853 as in the sinking of the Steamship Independence with 125 people onboard, the characters of the gold rushers and a fortune teller, close call on the steamer, and the Rassette House fire. Ready decides to go watch the first hot-air balloon ascension in San Francisco. In doing so, his life makes an unexpected turn. Read on to find out how it all ends for The Balloon Boy of San Francisco. Dorothy Kupcha Leland's research and superb writing has created a beautifully detailed, colorful historical book that is a joy to read. She has also written SALLIE FOX: THE STORY OF A PIONEER GIRL.

What a fun way to learn about San Francisco during gold rush times! With appeal for both children and adults, Balloon Boy would be a great tool for middle school history teachers. This would also be a great gift for boys who need a little extra motivation to read.

The Balloon Boy Of San Francisco is an adventure novel based on a true story. Set in San Francisco during 1853, it follows the wide-eyed exploits of an enthusiastic young man whose pasttimes include shouting the latest newspaper headlines from a street corner, and tracking down a gold miner who has gone missing. But when he has the opportunity to watch a hot-air balloon ascension, his life takes a exciting new turn. Based upon diaries and historical documents from the gold-rush era, The Balloon Boy Of San Francisco brings the past to vibrant life, recreating history and setting with such detail it's the next best thing to stepping into a time machine. The protagonist's contagious enthusiasm that lifts one's spirits in this upbeat story, intended for young adults but suitable for all ages.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm way older than the juvenile target audience. The well-researched historical background, and fictionalization of real events, makes it far more than just a retelling of an old folk tale. Ready and his family are fully-drawn, believable characters with many of the problems today's families face, though we probably aren't hoping to strike it rich in the gold fields. I recommend this book to parents as an excellent read-aloud, especially for boys 8 and up, but I think girls would enjoy it too.