Ballooning

School Library Journal

ea. vol: diags. illus. photogs. (Superwheels & Thrill Sports Series). CIP. Lerner. 1986. PLB $8.95. Gr 4 Up These additions to the series focus on non-powered flight. Ballooning covers both hot-air and gas balloons, while Soaring treats glider planes. Both books contain information on the histories of their respective aircraft as well as understandable details on their operation, instrumentation, and piloting. The types of competitions open to balloonists and glider pilots are also described. Proper training and safety are stressed in both, and the need for prospective pilots to learn a lot about winds and atmospheric conditions in general is made clear also. The writing in each is clear, well-organized, and manages to convey some enthusiasm for the subject. Pictures and diagrams appear on at least every other page. Most are in full color and are made informative by carefully written captions. Ballooning in particular seems to intrigue many youngsters, regardless of the likelihood of their ever riding in a balloon, while soaring is less well-known. Nonetheless, both books should attract browsers as well as information seekers. Ayres' Soaring has no competition at this level. Briggs' book is a better choice than Adler's Ballooning: High and Wild (Troll, 1976) or Paulsen's Launching, Floating High & Landing (Raintree, 1979). Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, Mass.