Twenty One Balloons
The Twenty-One Balloons
Pene du Bois, William
Posted: November 01, 2026

Professor Sherman’s year of balloon travel morphs when a seagull pops his plans and the explorer lands on a volcanic island inhabited by . . . wealthy diamond miners! When Krakatoa erupts, Sherman and his new friends must hatch up an ingenious escape.

Newbery Medal Winner

Grades 3 and up

For more about Krakatoa, read When the Moon Turned Blue.