Spy in the Sky - Hardcover

Kathleen Karr; Thomas F. Yezerski

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786822392 ISBN 13: 9780786822393

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children, 1997

Synopsis

When Northerner Thaddeus Lowe lands his balloon in South Carolina at the beginning of the Civil War, a ten-year-old orphan helps him find a way to use the balloon to help the North

About this title

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.

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0786822392
• ISBN 13: 9780786822393
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 54