The Girl with the Red Balloon (Volume 1) (The Balloonmakers) - Softcover

Katherine Locke lives in a very small town outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her feline overlords. In addition to fiction, she writes about books and reading and has contributed to The Forward, The GayYA, Teen Librarian Toolbox, and other sites.

2018 SYDNEY TAYLOR HONOR BOOK "Locke's debut is an intricately plotted historical thriller with elements of science fiction and magical realism...a sensitive exploration of the long-lasting effects of war and subjugation, especially on marginalized people. ...This sophisticated, unusual work is likely to appeal to fans of World War II and Holocaust fiction, as well as those who like their history with a tinge of romance and magic." - School Library Journal  
"An absorbing blend of historical fiction, mystery, and magical realism."--Kirkus Reviews  "...readers will find an enticing, intriguing new novel. This is a clever concept--what if luftballons were magical time-traveling devices?--and Locke fills in the blanks with questions about history and life and love. This is a must for any historical fiction collection." -Booklist  
"The Girl with the Red Balloon is a bold, unique fantasy that manages to be both timely and timeless. Katherine Locke has powerful things to say about how the past and present shape each other and the future, and about the magic of the human spirit." - Gwenda Bond, author of the Lois Lane series and the Girl on a Wire series  "Locke's deft twist on one of history's sharper edges blends magic and sci-fi for a gripping, heart wrenching read." - E.K. Johnston, #1 NYT Bestselling author, author of The Story of Owen, Prairie Fire, Exit Pursued by a Bear, A Thousand Nights, Spindle, Ahsoka (Star Wars), and That Inevitable Victorian Thing  
"Katherine Locke expertly captures the intense paranoia and repression of Soviet-controlled East Berlin with the brutal, smothering existence of the Jewish inhabitants of the Lodz ghetto and Chelmno death camp in Nazi Germany. Through interlocking timelines, she inspires us with the hope written into every magician's balloon, and a tender, aching romance. Ellie's tale of a girl lost in time pulled me right along with her as she soared above her circumstances." - Lindsay Smith, author of SEKRET, SKANDAL, DREAMSTRIDER, A DARKLY BEATING HEART, and Serial Box's THE WITCH WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
"Tightly woven time travel and magical devastation buoys up a history thatfeels all too present. The Girl With The Red Balloon soars." --Heidi Heilig,author of The Girl from Everywhere and The Ship Beyond Time