The Balloon Boy of San Francisco
The Balloon Boy of San Francisco is a rollicking romp set in San Francisco during 1853.
Newsboy Ready Gates lives up to his nickname. He’s ready for anything — whether it’s shouting the headlines from a street corner, sneaking onto a river boat, or tracking down a missing gold miner. But when he crosses the bay to watch the ascension of the first balloon ever brought to California, his adventures suddenly take an unexpected turn.
(Note: Although this is not a classic title, it was chosen for its living book quality and classic feel.)
- About the author: Dorothy Kupcha Leland wrote four books related to California history before her life underwent a dramatic change. In 2005, out of the blue, a mysterious condition disabled her daughter so much that she had to use a wheelchair. It was a long, hard, slog but eventually, the family got through it. Once her daughter’s health improved, Leland entered the world of Lyme disease activism. She founded a patient support group, started a blog called Touched by Lyme, and now advocates for the rights of Lyme patients with the national group LymeDisease.org.