Customer Reviews

Paloma and the Dust Devil at the Balloon Festival

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Young Paloma has waited a long time for an adventure in a hot air balloon. After all, she lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the balloon capitol of the world where every October hundreds of balloonists from around the world gather for the International Balloon Festival.

One year her father's friend Gilbert who lives in a nearby pueblo (a Native American reservation) promises them his first ride in a balloon that he is piloting for a local bank.

Excitement mounts as they watch wave after wave of giant balloons get filled with hot air, stand up, and lift into the sky. Finally, their turn comes and Paloma's father lifts her into the basket. They rise high above the trees, pass over the Rio Grande, the suburbs of Albuquerque far below, and head into the western desert.

Suddenly the balloon is sucked into a dust devil, not unusual in New Mexico. This dust devil is larger and more violent than most, so Gilbert shouts to Hector, Paloma's father, to help him open the flap that allows the balloon to descend. As Paloma peeks over the side of the basket to see the ground rising rapidly toward them, they land with a jolt and are dragged across a field until her father tethers them to a tree.

Quickly a small woman wearing a long skirt and a strange hat rushes to their aid. Concerned about Paloma, she leads them to her traditional New Mexico adobe house, announcing that her name is Aleta. Paloma's father whispers to her that his "abuelita's" (grandmother's) name was Aleta.

Soon Aleta's husband Severino arrives and Paloma's father gasps and asks what their family name is. "Gonzales," says Severino.

Paloma cries out, "Papa, that's our name too!"

Who are these people they encounter? Where and when do they come from? Why do they have the same family names as Paloma's ancestors? How do Paloma, her father, and friend return to the Balloon Festival?

Paloma and the Dust Devil at the Balloon Festival captures the magic of childhood, the mystical qualities of New Mexico, and the endurance of family bonds.

The final event in the story weaves together the magic, mysticism, traditions, and strong familial culture that pump the heart of The Land of Enchantment. "Paloma and the Dust Devil at the Balloon Festival," however, echoes every child's imagination, regardless of culture.

Mark Giles

I love, love, love this book! At first you think it's a charming story about hot air balloons and father-daughter bonding, but it's so much more. It's an enchanting tale, with beautiful illustrations, and it made me just a little bit teary and sentimental by the end of it. I highly recommend this wonderful book for all lovers of New Mexico, hot air balloons and the treasured power of family.

I am submitting this review for a 12 year old boy I met on a recent camping trip in the remote mountains of Colorado. He and I became friends and I gave him a free copy in exchange for writing anything he wanted about the book. One of the great things about being a children's book author is the opportunity to interact with children. They will always surprise and enchant me!

"I really liked the art."

Blake Miller

Mansfield, Texas