Let the Balloon Go

by Ivan Southall, Ian Ribbons (Illustrator)

Handicapped by cerebral palsy and overprotected by his parents, a twelve-year-old, left alone for the first time, in a desperate need to exert his independence, does precisely what he has been forbidden to do.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

142 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1968

About the author

Ivan Southall was an award-winning Australian writer of young-adult fiction and non-fiction. He was the first and still the only Australian to win the Carnegie Medal for children's literature. His books include Hills End, Ash Road, Josh, and Let the Balloon Go. Also notable is Fly West, a book of true stories based on his experiences flying in Short Sunderland flying boats during the Second World War.

Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2003).

Reviews

[Susan Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across, Let the Balloon Go by Ivan Southall, the other day in the library. I read it as a teenager but found it slow and tedious. I thought I would read it again from the perspective of an adult since Southall has won many awards as a children’s author and the book is only 100 pages long.

I can understand why I thought it tedious. The main character, John Sumner, takes ten pages just to get out of bed! As an adult, I can understand that the author was creating the context for his story but the book is written for a teenage audience.

As the story develops it becomes apparent that John suffers from cerebral palsy and his parents are overprotective, not allowing him to do many of the things that normal teenage boys would do. When his mother is forced to leave him home alone, he seizes the opportunity to climb a tree and experience some long-desired freedom.

While the book is well written and is an insightful look at children with disabilities, teenagers who don’t have this experience would find the book slow and tedious, as I did.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn’t ‘grab’ me to the same extent as other Ivan Southall novels. At the same time, it is a good novel and I did enjoy it. And as a school teacher who has taught several children with cerebral palsy, I’m glad - for the sake of those children, their families but also for those looking on - that attitudes have changed so much since this book was written. I am sure, though, that it could still improve further.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging.

[Catriona Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The late Judith Wright introduced me to Ivan Southall in 1964 and we had a friendship until his death. Ivan discussed this book with me before he wrote it - or perhaps I should say he asked me a lot of questions. They were perhaps the questions he might have asked his intellectually disabled daughter - a child who meant the world to him.
Apart from "Josh" it was the book which he found the hardest to write and the one which meant the most to him.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit dated.

[Woff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot: boy climbs tree.

Spoiler: there’s no balloon.

[Антонія · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книжка про те, як боротися з постійними "тобі не можна", "Ти не зможеш", "тобі зашкодить".... Хлопчик, який хоче бути схожим до інших. Але він не схожий не лише через свій діагноз ДЦП, але також своєю волею до життя, бажанням зробити щось, що заборонено, що він не зможе. Він бореться з тими внутрішніми голосами, які зв'язали його сильніше, ніж каліцтво...

[Angela Randall]

We actually own this as an individual novel and as a collection: Three Novels: "Fox Hole", "Let the Balloon Go" and "Over the Top"