Flight for Freedom
Flight for Freedom

Flight for Freedom

Written by Kristen Fulton & illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
Hardcover
$17.99
$16.97
5 - 8
Reading age
50
Page count
20
Words per page
NC1010L
Lexile measure
Mar 3, 2020
Publication date

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What Does Bookroo Think of This Book

A moving true story of a family’s brave escape from East Berlin by hot air balloon.

When a family member smuggles them a newspaper clipping of a hot air balloon, the Wetzel family, who live in East Berlin in 1979, are inspired to escape to West Berlin by hot air balloon. They sneak extra nylon and fuel whenever possible to avoid alerting the Stasi. Young Peter knows of his parents’ daring plan but is sworn to secrecy until one night, he is awoken in the middle of the night and the family drives to a secluded field to make their dangerous attempt. As Stasi police cars pull into the meadow, Peter is instructed by his dad to cut the balloon free. The family flies for only 30 minutes before they run out of fuel and their balloon crashes down. Unsure whether they’ve succeeded in crossing the Berlin Wall, they hide in the forest until a passing car confirms they’ve escaped to West Berlin. Fulton’s masterful historical writing—based on interviews with the Wetzel family—is engaging and fitting of the moving and inspiring true story. Her narrative succinctly provides an educational historical context that accentuates the drama of the Wetzel family’s escape. Kuhlmann’s illustrations are praiseworthy, with a realism and heaviness that match the gravity of the situation and all that is at risk for the Wetzel family. Some fascinating additional details of the story are included in notes at the end.

Where Does This Book Stand Out

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The Creatives Behind the Book

    Author
    Kristen Fulton

    Nonfiction picture book author Kristen Fulton calls central Florida home. But, she spends the majority of the year traveling across America. She visits every museum and history center that she can find along her journey. Wafting through dusty artifacts, Kristen is always on the lookout for her next story. Want to learn more about Kristen or when she will be in your area for author events? Visit KristenFulton.com.

    Illustrator
    Torben Kuhlmann

    Torben Kuhlmann was born in Germany in 1982. Highly creative as a young child, Torben was recognized as early as kindergarten for being a gifted draftsman. He was captivated by small airplanes, strange machines, and steaming trains; these elements made their way into his drawings. He studied illustration and design at the Hamburg University for Applied Sciences. His preferred media are pen and watercolor. He also works with acrylics, oil paints, and digital programs. He works as a freelance illustrator in Hamburg. His books Lindbergh: The Tale of a Flying Mouse, Moletown, and Armstrong—The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moonquickly became best sellers and owe their inventiveness to Torben’s great enthusiasm for unusual mechanical inventions.Edison —The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure is his fourth picture book for NorthSouth Books.

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Book Details

ISBN
9781452149608
Publication Date
March 3, 2020
Publisher
Chronicle Books
Original Publication Date
August 16, 2019
Page Count
50
Words Per Page
20
Audience
Picture
Reading Age
5 - 8 years
Lexile® Level
NC1010L
Est. Fountas & Pinnell Level
~X
ATOS® Book Level
3.7
Accelerated Reader® Points
0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz
508874
Accelerated Reader Interest Level
LG

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