Gr 5-8‘The Twenty-One Balloons by William DuBois (Puffin, pap. 1986) has everything‘balloon travel, diamond mines, wonderful inventions and a volcanic island that erupts while 82 people hover over it on a platform held aloft by balloons. The story is told by Professor William Sherman Waterman, a retired math teacher who is determined to fulfill his dream of travelling in a balloon high above the cares and concerns of the regular world for one year. Narrator John McDonough does a good job of sounding like the tired 66-year-old professor. The recorded version drags at times, especially in the very long introduction that describes Professor Waterman's refusal to tell his story even to the President of the United States. Listeners may cringe a little when the professor describes dumping his garbage over the side of the balloon, but this is the only aspect of the story that is dated. Life on Krakatoa, the volcanic island where the professor ultimately ends up, is truly extraordinary. The wonderful inventions, including a balloon merry go-round and electrified chairs that can be driven all over the house, are bound to appeal to listeners' imaginations. However, the narration does not exude the sense of wonder and excitement that the story deserves.‘Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Washington, DC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.