The Twenty-one Balloons

William Pene du Bois

Feb 2018 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Hal Hollings

About this audiobook

A Newbery Medal Winner

Professor William Waterman Sherman intends to fly across the Pacific Ocean. But through a twist of fate, he lands on Krakatoa, and discovers a world of unimaginable wealth, eccentric inhabitants, and incredible balloon inventions. Winner of the 1948 Newbery Medal.

"William Pene du Bois combines his rich imagination, scientific tastes, and brilliant artistry to tell a story that has no age limit."—The Horn Book

Ratings and reviews

Im 45 years old now. But. Somehow, even though this book was mysteriously plain book covered with a light orange hardbook cover, it had magical content and has stuck with me my whole life.

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About the author

William Pene du Bois (1916 - 1993) won the 1948 Newbery Medal for The Twenty-One Balloons and received two Caldecott Honors for his illustrations for Bear Party and Lion. He illustrated books by Rumer Godden, Charlotte Zolotow, and others.