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The Silver Balloon
Having a pen pal is exciting
One September evening, Gregory ties an index card with his name and address on it to the string of a silver helium balloon and lets it go from his window, into the city sky. Three weeks later, an envelope arrives in the mail. A farmer named Pete has found his balloon! Gregory writes back, and the two become pen pals, exchanging mystery gifts with each letter. Finally, Pete sends a gift that Gregory can identify only by a trip to the antural history museum, and the object turns out to be something truly amazing. With illustrations by the author, The Silver Balloon is perfect for early chapter-book readers.
One September evening, Gregory ties an index card with his name and address on it to the string of a silver helium balloon and lets it go from his window, into the city sky. Three weeks later, an envelope arrives in the mail. A farmer named Pete has found his balloon! Gregory writes back, and the two become pen pals, exchanging mystery gifts with each letter. Finally, Pete sends a gift that Gregory can identify only by a trip to the antural history museum, and the object turns out to be something truly amazing. With illustrations by the author, The Silver Balloon is perfect for early chapter-book readers.
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 12, 2020
When I was reading Susan Bonners’ illustrated chapter book The Silver Balloon (published in 1997 but to and for me rather feeling like a much earlier time and before the onset of widespread technology), although I most definitely have very much enjoyed reading young Gregory’s back and forth letters with his new and older adult farmer pen pal (who found the silver helium balloon Gregory had released from his window and then wrote back to the attached address, and included a mystery gift to be discovered), I was also feeling rather nostalgic but equally a bit depressed.
For one, with today’s increasing concerns regarding so-called stranger danger, Gregory receiving letters from Mr. Mayfield and even being actively encouraged by his mother to correspond with him might well not be something that some if not even many of today’s parents would find all that acceptable (and understandably so, although I do feel sad that this is indeed and often the case nowadays). And furthermore (and yes, coming from the same current day concerns), when Gregory and his friend Tommy in The Silver Balloon are allowed to on their own explore and do research regarding the mystery objects Mr. Mayfield has sent in his letters (culminating in a Sabre Tooth Cat fossil), although reading about Gregory and Tommy taking busses on their own, going to various libraries and Gregory making an appointment with a professor at the museum has been fun and delightfully engaging, once again, there is a very distinct and saddening realisation that young elementary school children of today (like Gregory and Tommy) would more than likely not be able, would not be allowed to simply go exploring on their own volition and yes indeed, Gregory’s mother actively and vocally suggesting to her son to do this would more than likely make many modern parents feel a trifle if not even quite uncomfortable.
So while I do in fact recommend The Silver Balloon and find Susan Bonners’ text sweet and with delightful messages regarding both the joys of friendship (including cross generational friendship) and that discovery and dedicated research is something to be embraced and celebrated, I do think that today’s parents wanting to share The Silver Balloon with younger children below the age of ten or so need to also feel alright with the amount of personal freedom to roam Gregory and Tommy are granted and that Gregory is corresponding by letter with an older adult male who is a stranger.
For one, with today’s increasing concerns regarding so-called stranger danger, Gregory receiving letters from Mr. Mayfield and even being actively encouraged by his mother to correspond with him might well not be something that some if not even many of today’s parents would find all that acceptable (and understandably so, although I do feel sad that this is indeed and often the case nowadays). And furthermore (and yes, coming from the same current day concerns), when Gregory and his friend Tommy in The Silver Balloon are allowed to on their own explore and do research regarding the mystery objects Mr. Mayfield has sent in his letters (culminating in a Sabre Tooth Cat fossil), although reading about Gregory and Tommy taking busses on their own, going to various libraries and Gregory making an appointment with a professor at the museum has been fun and delightfully engaging, once again, there is a very distinct and saddening realisation that young elementary school children of today (like Gregory and Tommy) would more than likely not be able, would not be allowed to simply go exploring on their own volition and yes indeed, Gregory’s mother actively and vocally suggesting to her son to do this would more than likely make many modern parents feel a trifle if not even quite uncomfortable.
So while I do in fact recommend The Silver Balloon and find Susan Bonners’ text sweet and with delightful messages regarding both the joys of friendship (including cross generational friendship) and that discovery and dedicated research is something to be embraced and celebrated, I do think that today’s parents wanting to share The Silver Balloon with younger children below the age of ten or so need to also feel alright with the amount of personal freedom to roam Gregory and Tommy are granted and that Gregory is corresponding by letter with an older adult male who is a stranger.
August 16, 2018
This was a cute story about a boy who sends up a silver balloon with his address attached and ends up with a pen pal. The two write for a while, exchanging mystery gifts for each other to figure out, which is a fun little concept.
I suppose I shouldn't have expected too much with this book, given it is only something like 70 pages. There were some things I did like about it, for example, Gregory started becoming very observant of his surroundings in his search of a mystery gift that would be just right. It promoted the ideas of research and following leads when you're curious for information. It also feeds a little taste of information on prehistory, enough that a kid might be interested in reading more.
Honestly, if this book were not a part of our history curriculum this year I'd just opt to skip it. The story is incredibly short and I didn't feel it was terribly captivating. It did have a little note of nostalgia, given these kids had the freedom to go to the library and take two buses to the museum at an age most modern kids are barely allowed to walk to the bus stop on their own, but beyond that, I didn't feel like it was the kind of story that would really inspire my kids to read, or to particularly love books, especially given the problematic ideas this book brings up, like the impact on the environment of letting loose a balloon, especially one that's probably Mylar, given it's silver, though the author does make a note about that in the end of the book. My kids may surprise me and end up enjoying it, but it didn't strike me as something that was so good I must read it with the kids, like some of the other books in this curriculum truly have.
I suppose I shouldn't have expected too much with this book, given it is only something like 70 pages. There were some things I did like about it, for example, Gregory started becoming very observant of his surroundings in his search of a mystery gift that would be just right. It promoted the ideas of research and following leads when you're curious for information. It also feeds a little taste of information on prehistory, enough that a kid might be interested in reading more.
Honestly, if this book were not a part of our history curriculum this year I'd just opt to skip it. The story is incredibly short and I didn't feel it was terribly captivating. It did have a little note of nostalgia, given these kids had the freedom to go to the library and take two buses to the museum at an age most modern kids are barely allowed to walk to the bus stop on their own, but beyond that, I didn't feel like it was the kind of story that would really inspire my kids to read, or to particularly love books, especially given the problematic ideas this book brings up, like the impact on the environment of letting loose a balloon, especially one that's probably Mylar, given it's silver, though the author does make a note about that in the end of the book. My kids may surprise me and end up enjoying it, but it didn't strike me as something that was so good I must read it with the kids, like some of the other books in this curriculum truly have.
September 13, 2017
One September evening,Gregory write a secret message on the string of a silver balloon and let it fly from his window to another cities .After three week, an mail arrives.A person,Pete find his balloon then he talk with Gregory in the email.They come to be a good friend.Finally Pete send a gift for Gregory .But Gregory only can by a trip to the history museum.The object turns out t be something truly amazing.
I think that book is a good story about two people's friends ship is born from the balloon.
I think that book is a good story about two people's friends ship is born from the balloon.
February 9, 2021
Story was fine--just not a very compelling read. Even the children were not quite as into reading this one.
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April 7, 2021Very sweet story. Leo related a lot to Gregory and his love of nature and the outdoors.
January 12, 2023
A quick little read aloud - don’t think it’ll be a lasting favorite. Themes of connection, kindness and how life can surprise you.
July 8, 2020
4.5 stars! Simple but sweet and smart story. Read it in an hour with the kids!
February 22, 2024
My son and I read this for his homeschool and I want to say we enjoyed it, but we didn’t.
Firstly, the language is very simplistic most of the time- like early reader sentence construction.
Secondly, there are several instances of inappropriate behavior being allowed throughout the story, only one of which is addressed in a note by the author at the end of the book: don’t release helium balloons into the sky, it’s bad for wildlife.
The other issues were much more substantial in my opinion because they dealt with child safety. It is well established in the story that the main character lives in the city, and that a stranger, living in a more rural area finds his balloon and note and begins a kind of pen pal relationship with him. A stranger, an adult male stranger has been given access to the name and address of a child. Not good. His parents think it’s cute. This child invites this stranger to go camping with him and his best friend- also a child. Not goodx2. Then, the child, trying to identify a rare object sent to him by the man seeks the assistance of another adult male who works in a museum. He calls him, makes an appointment and then travels by city bus to meet this man in his office taking with him only his best friend and his mothers permission to go. NOT GOOD x3. And in the end, the child invites this pen pal and his wife to come and stay at his home in order to go to the museum and see the artifact on display… why? Why would his parents ever agree to this??? And then to cap it all off, the pen pal and wife do in fact come to stay with them and then invite them to visit their home in the summertime to go camping.
But, for the love of all that is good… don’t release helium balloons because THAT is problematic. Oye.
Firstly, the language is very simplistic most of the time- like early reader sentence construction.
Secondly, there are several instances of inappropriate behavior being allowed throughout the story, only one of which is addressed in a note by the author at the end of the book: don’t release helium balloons into the sky, it’s bad for wildlife.
The other issues were much more substantial in my opinion because they dealt with child safety. It is well established in the story that the main character lives in the city, and that a stranger, living in a more rural area finds his balloon and note and begins a kind of pen pal relationship with him. A stranger, an adult male stranger has been given access to the name and address of a child. Not good. His parents think it’s cute. This child invites this stranger to go camping with him and his best friend- also a child. Not goodx2. Then, the child, trying to identify a rare object sent to him by the man seeks the assistance of another adult male who works in a museum. He calls him, makes an appointment and then travels by city bus to meet this man in his office taking with him only his best friend and his mothers permission to go. NOT GOOD x3. And in the end, the child invites this pen pal and his wife to come and stay at his home in order to go to the museum and see the artifact on display… why? Why would his parents ever agree to this??? And then to cap it all off, the pen pal and wife do in fact come to stay with them and then invite them to visit their home in the summertime to go camping.
But, for the love of all that is good… don’t release helium balloons because THAT is problematic. Oye.
October 2, 2016
After an inspiring visit to a natural history museum, Greg releases a silver balloon with his name and address, and Mr. Mayfield finds it and sends a letter in reply. Thus begins a pen pal connection that builds with each correspondence. Mr. Mayfield sends along a mystery gift each time - an artifact from nature, and Greg must identify each item. Greg eagerly does research at his library to name each artifact, excited about this connection to nature. This new adventure brings Greg joy, since his mother works so much, and his father is absent from his life. The short story is suspenseful, as readers wait with Greg to see what each new gift will be, and what this connection will mean in Greg's life.
March 21, 2019
This is a really neat story! It's wholesome except for a brief evolutionary reference near the end.
I love the idea that sparks Gregory's launching of his balloon, but writing your name and address down and sending it off dangling from a balloon is perhaps not the safest thing to do in this day and age...who knows what kind of person might track you down?
At the end of the story is an author's note. I prematurely sighed in relief, fully expecting some brief explanation along those lines of safety, but instead it said not to do what Gregory did because it's dangerous for animals if the balloon pops. Oops! Guess parents will want to have that safety chat with their kiddos after all.
I love the idea that sparks Gregory's launching of his balloon, but writing your name and address down and sending it off dangling from a balloon is perhaps not the safest thing to do in this day and age...who knows what kind of person might track you down?
At the end of the story is an author's note. I prematurely sighed in relief, fully expecting some brief explanation along those lines of safety, but instead it said not to do what Gregory did because it's dangerous for animals if the balloon pops. Oops! Guess parents will want to have that safety chat with their kiddos after all.
October 7, 2008
There is something sweet about this intergenerational, penpal friendship, but no one ever checks this book out of the library I work at. Every year it comes up on our possible weeds list and I think, "no, maybe this will be the year some sweet second or third grader takes it home."
August 6, 2018
Fun way to learn. Later in the book there is evolutionary reference to "millions of years". That said, it was an engaging story.
December 25, 2018
This was a fun innocent story fully of hope and friendship.
January 17, 2019
A cute story (for kids) about pen-pals and solving small mysteries. My kids (8 and 6) loved it
July 13, 2019
An admirable contribution to the category of earliest juvenile fiction. I read this to my 6-year old daughter who seemed to enjoy it and was able to follow along without difficulty.
September 2, 2019
Delightful little book! Inspires interest in learning and living, as well as healthy relationships of various types. Totally loved it.
December 19, 2024
The Silver Balloon was a quick, fun read! I was surprised to see the book was written in 1997 when I guessed it was set in the 60's, possibly even 70's. I grew up in the late 80's, early 90's and this book was still nostalgic for me. Remember the days when the only way of communicating with your best friend was by passing a note? Or when the neighborhood kids all set a specific time for everyone to meet at the park to play? The days of no technology, cellphones, obsessive TV watching....
Gregory, a city boy, decides to tie a letter to a balloon and let it go. The letter reaches Farmer Pete who lives on a farm and the two become penpals. They decide to send each other little clues and trinkets that come from where they live. It was fun watching Gregory run to the library to find books to help him figure things out. There wasn't any instant gratification. Sometimes he'd spend days researching at the library, asking around, scoping out his neighborhood. It became a real mystery to solve and that's the part I enjoyed. We all have the instant gratification these days when we have the internet in our hands. Would kids today be able to enter a library on their own and find what they need?
Gregory, a city boy, decides to tie a letter to a balloon and let it go. The letter reaches Farmer Pete who lives on a farm and the two become penpals. They decide to send each other little clues and trinkets that come from where they live. It was fun watching Gregory run to the library to find books to help him figure things out. There wasn't any instant gratification. Sometimes he'd spend days researching at the library, asking around, scoping out his neighborhood. It became a real mystery to solve and that's the part I enjoyed. We all have the instant gratification these days when we have the internet in our hands. Would kids today be able to enter a library on their own and find what they need?
May 28, 2022
I probably hail from the last generation of people who wrote real letters to communicate with my friends. I remember getting my very first email address my first week of college. My first cell phone came later with my first job after graduation. So, if I wanted to talk to a far off friend without a long distance phone call, I wrote them a letter. This book hearkens back to that lost art.
Young Gregory looks for a new penpal in an unconventional way. He sends his address out the window on the string of a balloon and hopes that someone will find it. This begins a friendship with a man from the country named Pete who enjoys sending Gregory mystery items.
My boys enjoyed trying to solve the identity of the mystery items along with Gregory.
Young Gregory looks for a new penpal in an unconventional way. He sends his address out the window on the string of a balloon and hopes that someone will find it. This begins a friendship with a man from the country named Pete who enjoys sending Gregory mystery items.
My boys enjoyed trying to solve the identity of the mystery items along with Gregory.
March 11, 2025
Read for Sonlight kindergarten. A was fine with it, but not my cup of tea, personally. Very 90’s urban vibes. Too many instances of telling A that these things are very bad ideas. Tying your name and address to a balloon? Bad idea. Becoming pen pals with the person who received your balloon and then inviting them to your house after a couple letters? Really bad idea. Riding across town on a bus to a museum without a grownup…also a bad idea. I get that it’s fiction, but it’s realistic fiction, and in my opinion not charming enough to make up for the slew things-not-to-do. A did get really excited about the saber tooth cat tooth. But I’ll probably pick a different book for L.
March 4, 2021
Read aloud for Sonlight K. 5 y.o. son loved this book. It's easy to read aloud and relatable to a young child. The characters (two young boys) progress in their relationships with others (such as mother, librarian, pen pal) as they solve mysteries and dream of life outside the city. I would love to give it 5 stars, but there is an evolutionary/millions of years reference near the end.
May 25, 2021
A city child releases a balloon with a note to find a pen pal. Instead, he gets a true friend and father-figure from the country. This is a cute story and is rooted in strong character and values. There are lessons on research and problem-solving. But, the story line was almost too simplistic and it wasn't our favorite read-aloud this year.
April 21, 2023
A sweet book I read with my kids about a kid who ties a notecard with his name and address to a silver balloon and releases it. He starts getting letters from a man in another state who found the balloon; they send each other letters with little "'mystery gifts" to be identified, and form a friendship.
February 1, 2023
Es un libro infantil pensado para niños más o menos de una edad de 8 años, aunque cualquier persona lo puede disfrutar. Detalla una amistad a la distancia con cartas, en una época donde no existía el internet, y como de esa amistad se mandan “regalos misteriosos” que son enigmas entre ellos.
November 12, 2019
Lizzie: I like this book and I believe it is very creative and a fun book to read. At first I was not very exited to read this book, but after reading it I do not regret it.
November 8, 2020
My kids loved this adventure. I love the responsibility the author took in their note at the end as well.
November 29, 2020
An adventure in friendship and discovery.
January 11, 2021
Super sweet book. Really enjoyed.
March 18, 2021
I enjoyed this book more than my six year old did but it is still a cute story. My son did enjoy the last two chapters because of the nature of the last “mystery gift”.
July 18, 2021
I read with fifth grade during the summer of 2021. It was fun explaining so many things to them that are really not around anymore or have been replaced by social media.
January 14, 2022
I like the saber-cat tooth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews