The 21 Balloons

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Sherman’s Explorer’s Journal”

In this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of setting and characterization in The Twenty-One Balloons by creating an explorer’s journal entry for each of Sherman’s days on Krakatoa.

Sherman is a loyal member of the Western American Explorers’ Club. At the time the novel is set, it was common for explorers to keep records of their travels in the form of journals. In this activity, create the journal entries Sherman might have written during his time on Krakatoa.

Your version of Sherman’s explorer’s journal should include:

• A journal entry written on the night Sherman lands on Krakatoa and entries for each day he subsequently spends on the island, written from Sherman’s perspective  
• Details that demonstrate your understanding of the book’s setting and Sherman’s character
• One labeled drawing to accompany each entry

When each reader has finished, read a peer’s version of Sherman’s journal. Answer the following questions:

1. What details about setting are included in the text and pictures in the journal entries?
2. What do the text and pictures in the journal entries show about Sherman’s personality?

Teaching Suggestion: This activity can be completed individually or with partners; students can create the journal entries on paper with writing and art supplies or through the use of electronic devices. Students themselves might be invited to share in generating more specific guidelines for the activity such as length of entries, peer review and editing details, and due date.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students will need to refer back to the book to gather details of setting and characterization. Those with reading fluency or attentional learning differences might gather evidence with a partner or small group in order to pool ideas and details, even if they will then be creating individual versions of the explorer’s journal. The requirement to include illustrations may be eliminated or adjusted for students with visual or fine motor impairments.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Many times in this story, the results of a character’s actions are ironic. Choose one example of situational irony in the story to use as the basis for your response.

• In your example, what does the character try to do, and what ironic outcome actually occurs? (topic sentence)
• Explain how this outcome is ironic in 3 points of analysis. You might incorporate the definition of irony in your explanation and/or point out at least one alternative outcome that would not have been ironic.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, comment on how this irony relates to one or both of the novel’s thematic concerns with Balancing Risk and Planning and Ingenuity as an Engine of Happiness.

2. Because Professor Sherman is the story’s main character and narrates the central part of the story, the reader gets to know him well.

• What trait is most apparent in Professor Sherman’s characterization? (topic sentence)
• Think about the book’s beginning, middle, and end. Summarize 3 situations in which the professor displays this trait. How does the situation, the professor’s reaction to events, and his demonstration of this trait help to characterize him?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, comment on how this characterization trait helps to set the professor apart from other characters.

3. The Twenty-One Balloons is structured as a frame story (a story within a story).

• What purpose does the outer frame narrative serve? (topic sentence)
• Explain 3 examples that support your interpretation of the frame’s purpose.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, comment on whether the outer frame is necessary for the story and offer your rationale.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. This amusing adventure story makes some serious points about the real society of the time. For example, how does Du Bois portray people in power, especially politicians? What are some of the drawbacks to the ingenious inventions in this story? Write an essay analyzing how du Bois uses ironic situations, comedy, characterization, and plot details to create social satire. Comment on the relationship between this satire and the novel’s thematic interest in Balancing Risk and Planning, Building Community, and Ingenuity as an Engine of Happiness. Support your arguments with evidence drawn from throughout the story, making sure to cite any quoted material.

2. The main setting of the novel is the island of Krakatoa. What different phases did Krakatoa’s community go through before reaching the form it is in when Sherman lands there? What is unique about the society they have built together, and how does this reflect both the importance of cooperation and a respect for human differences? What might the different houses and restaurants symbolize? Write an essay analyzing how the setting of Krakatoa functions as a representation of du Bois’s hopes for the future of the United States. Support your arguments with evidence drawn from throughout the story, making sure to cite any quoted material.

3. The Twenty-One Balloons is a novel filled with images of balloons. What might a balloon symbolize in the novel? What kinds of plot events and characters are associated with balloons? How do the images of balloons affect the novel’s tone and mood? Write an essay analyzing the purpose of the novel’s balloon imagery. Support your arguments with evidence drawn from throughout the story, making sure to cite any quoted material.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What two narrative perspectives does the novel contain?

A) First person and third-person limited

B) First person and third-person omniscient

C) Third-person limited and third-person omniscient

D) First person and second person

2. For Sherman, who is the most important audience for his story?

A) The reader

B) The newspapers

C) The Explorers’ Club

D) The Krakatoans

3. What is a key difference between the way Sherman’s departure from San Francisco and his return to San Francisco are treated by others?

A) His friends worry about his safety when he leaves, but they are proud of him when he returns.

B) The press mocks his plans when he leaves, but they take him seriously when he returns.

C) He leaves because he is in public disgrace, but when he returns, he is a hero.

D) His departure is essentially ignored, but his return causes a frenzy of interest.

4. In the novel, what do the mayors of San Francisco and New York have in common?

A) Neither one approves of exploration, and both are suspicious of modern technology.

B) Neither one trusts journalists, and both insist on interviewing Sherman personally.

C) Both are willing to use deception and immoral tactics to learn Sherman’s story.

D) Both are self-important figures eager to create public spectacles for publicity.

5. Which statement is the most accurate description of Sherman’s personality?

A) Friendly, confident, and outgoing, he values human companionship above all else.

B) Gruff, logical, and clever, he values both adventure and peaceful contemplation.

C) Artistic, sensitive, and shy, he values time to create and imagine above all else.

D) Athletic, energetic, and talkative, he values both cooperation and leadership.

6. Which character functions as a “tour guide” to Krakatoa for both Sherman and the reader?

A) Mr. F.

B) Mr. J.

C) Mr. M.

D) Mr. T.

7. Which statement is the most accurate description of what the politicians in the story have in common?

A) They are willing to use illegal tactics to get information.

B) They misuse public funds for personal activities.

C) They go to extreme lengths to create positive publicity.

D) They are ignorant about basic scientific principles.

8. Which statement describes how Sherman’s status changes while he is on Krakatoa?

A) He goes from being a teacher of children to being instructed by children.

B) He goes from being an explorer to being the subject of others’ curiosity.

C) He goes from being a follower of others to being a community leader.

D) He goes from being a man of science to being a man of the arts.

9. Which idea is the most logical interpretation of what the diamonds in this story represent?

A) The beauty of the natural world

B) The wealth of the modern world

C) The ridiculousness of personal vanity

D) The dangers of exploiting the environment

10. Which statement most accurately summarizes the novel’s attitude toward new inventions?

A) They are temporarily amusing but, in the long run, distract people from what is important.

B) They create opportunities for people who have been excluded from power.

C) They show that humans always want more, even when they already have enough.

D) They may cause unanticipated problems, but they mostly create joy and happiness.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Describe the “Restaurant Government” of Krakatoa.

2. What do Sherman’s balloon adventure and life on Krakatoa demonstrate about planning and risk?