When Thaddeus Lowe and his balloon fall from the sky, Ridley Jone's life was forever changed as he was asked to become Lowe's assistant and help launch the Balloon Corp for President Lincoln. Simultaneous.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4?Ridley Jones tells of Thaddeus Lowe and his Balloon Corps, which helped the Union during the Civil War. Notes at the back of the book give additional facts about Lowe. An orphan, Ridley doesn't hesitate when Lowe asks him to leave South Carolina and become his assistant. Many adventures follow for the boy, including meeting President Lincoln. Readers will empathize with young Ridley as his self-esteem grows through learning Morse Code and helping in the war effort. The characters speak with just enough of a Southern accent to make them realistic without causing a burden for beginning readers. The black-and-white line drawings work well with the story and give readers a sense of time and place. The book's only unfortunate drawback are the puzzles at the back, which will tempt youngsters to write on the pages. A good introduction to historical fiction for younger students.?Linda L. Plevak, Alamo Area Library System, San Antonio, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
The true story of Thaddeus Lowe, narrated by a fictional South Carolina orphan, Ridley Jones. As Karr (Go West, Young Women!, 1996, etc.) tells it, when Lowe, a 19th-century balloonist, crashes in South Carolina at the beginning of the Civil War, Ridley joins him as his assistant. They make their way north, where Lowe presents the idea of a Balloon Corps to President Lincoln, for spying on enemy positions and movements. After some resistance from military brass, Lowe and Ridley are officially aloft. This breezy entry in the Chapters series will have emerging readers gliding right along. Ridley provides appropriate perspective, and the story--as far as it goes, ending as the Balloon Corps is underway--will have wide appeal; a final note offers no additional information about Lowe's work in the Civil War. Superfluous puzzles and quizzes bring the book to a close, but the tale is exciting without such frills, and sure to pull in readers from both the high and low ends of proficiency. (full-color illustrations, not seen) (Fiction. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent historical fiction for third or fourth graders.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Spy in the Sky (Hyperion Chapters) (Paperback)
Kathleen Karr's Spy in the Sky is not just another Civil War book. In fifty-five pages the reader not only learns to care about the characters but also learns of this unique use of gas balloons in war. Teachers will find this useful in the Social Studies units. Third and fourth graders will be able to read it independently. Karr ends with a two page biography of Thaddeus Lowe. It is quite a story packed into 55 pages.
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than just a children's book...,
By A Customer
This review is from: Spy in the Sky (Hyperion Chapters) (Paperback)
Thaddeus Lowe is the undisputed father of our U.S. Airforce, and grandfather to famed aviatrix Florence Lowe, aka Pancho Barnes. This children's book tell's Thadddeus's Civil War story as never told before. A great way to share aviation history with your children, and learn a little something for yourself too. - Stan McClain
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