This novel was SO interesting! Being able to read from the point of view of someone on the other side of the Berlin Wall in the 80's was just insane. I'm really into history, so historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I've never read a story set in this time. I really loved the religious diversity, and diversity in general, in this book. It will really speak to teens who are lesbian and Jewish. The characters were relatable and fun. The magic aspect of the book, though kind of confusing for me at first, was a fun twist on such an awful topic at hand with the Holocaust and dictatorship.

It was a good book. I liked the fantastical elements. I feel the history could have been researched better, but I'm someone with a background in this area and have been to some of these locations. So, I'm very particular.

There are so many wonderful things about this book. Overall, the story of survival and the dedication of those willing to help people trapped in dangerous and oppressive conditions is heartwarming. The story flows like a balloon floating in the sky. The plot was clear and well written and pulled us along as we fought along with the characters to get Ellie Baum, one of three main characters, home. We are quickly introduced to the six main and secondary characters whose relationships with each other are subtle yet complex. They are well developed with strengths, weaknesses, and strong motivations.

In my travels, I spent some time in Berlin, after the wall fell, and even then was astonished at the stark contrast between the east and west. Locke describes the dismal and depressing East Berlin with such clarity, as I read, the images in my mind were gray.

Yet there were the red balloons. The balloons and the magic written on them floated in and out of the past joining the stories. They brought color and hope for the characters to the very last sentence.

This book was better than okay, but not the best. The plot was highkey confusing for most of the book. I probably would have not read this as quickly if I didn't need to review it tbh. The worldbuilding was quality and I love the combo of magic and math. The side characters honestly felt underdeveloped and I think I didn't understand the book that well because I mixed them up a lot. The pacing was okay, but the ending was really confusing and felt empty and rushed.

What if there were a group of magicians responsible for getting people out of war zones and oppression to safety? This idea is central to Locke’s premise, and delivers well in the two plot lines she puts forth in this book (one during WWII and one in 1988 Berlin).

When a balloon designed by the magician balloonmakers (the Schöpfers) goes awry, main character Ellie travels from the current day, on accident, to 1988 Berlin, where she learns more about her grandfather’s Holocaust past and her own abilities. She’s rescued by Kai, the Romani love interest and an assistant to the Schopfers, and Mitzi, the headstrong German friend. The chemistry between these three characters make every scene of this book sparkle.

Some of the strongest elements of this book are its musings on identity and the past. In this time of social upheaval in the real world, it’s satisfying to see Ellie come to grips with her identity a 21st century teen in a 20th century world. Locke doesn’t shy away from nuances of religious and sexual identity throughout, much to the benefit of the characters. By the end of the book, I really “knew” Ellie.

While some of the finer plot points later on seemed a little rushed to me (or perhaps I was in such a hurry to find out the exciting conclusion), I loved the premise and its delivery. Here’s hoping for more books in this universe!

Look out for this book in September. It will not appear on a red balloon (probably), but you’ll still want a way to make sure it’s in your hands.

Realistic likeable characters in an enthralling historical tale..

I loved this book. Everything about it was so so good, and it was really enjoyable, even if I did take longer to finish it than I might have (reading slumps come at the worst time).

The Girl with the Red Balloon tells the story of Ellie Baum, who is accidentally transported back in time to 1988 East Germany when she takes hold of a red balloon. She finds out there is a group of people who work to help those stuck in East Germany escape to West Germany, using such balloons, but the one that transported Ellie back didn't work as it was supposed to.

The premise of this story is so original and it's written so well too. I loved all of the characters, especially Mitzi, Kai, and Ellie, and I'm sad this is just a standalone book. I can totally understand why it would be but that doesn't stop me wishing there was more from these characters.

If anything, there was just a bit too little action for me, but then again I need action almost every page because I'm so impatient and get bored so easily. It helped that the chapters alternated between different characters' points of view, though.

The ending was perhaps a little abrupt - they seem to be slowly working their way to a conclusion, and then all of a sudden everything's happening, and just as suddenly it's done. But that besides, I didn't have a problem with the pacing of the book.

This book is wonderful - very fresh and unique. Historical in a time period and setting rarely explored in YA books. Very unique magic system. Lots of diversity that felt authentic and well-researched (though I am not one of the marginalized groups represented so can't say for sure). This was a beautifully written, carefully crafted story.

If you gave a girl a magic balloon, she’ll become something else.

OKAY. Can I just say that if this isn’t the best book I’ve read all year (I don’t think I can take that position away from ACOL) then it’s the one that’s left the biggest impact on me. And it still takes the cake as second best book. I requested this after having read ONE great review but still wasn’t fully prepared for what I was getting myself into. This book is a prime example of historical fiction and time travel done right—EVERYTHING about this book is done right. And as a person who love time travel that should really mean something.

Ellie is a modern day student who is in Germany on a study abroad trip. Her grandfather, who was actually a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, used to tell her these stories about magic red balloons and how one actually saved his life while he was being transferred from a Polish ghetto to an internment camp. Oh a whim, she goes to grab it and ends up in East Germany in 1988.

The city hummed with a frenetic sort of energy, the kind that came when people say the light at the end of the tunnel and realized it wasn’t the oncoming train. It was hope. The world was changing. We were along for the ride.

Now, I was born in 1991 and I’m going to tell you straight up that it was unbelievable for me to read about this place, one continent over, that had people living in that much fear only three years before I was born. I know that people in different places around the world are STILL living in that kind of fear but…this book in particular made me feel so sheltered. In all of my twenty five, almost twenty six years I have NEVER known that kind of fear. And it just kills to know that I have it so easy when so many others don’t. I think that this book is a good reminder of that. What’s out there even still today.

But I digress. Let’s get to the other parts of this book that had me laughing, SOBBING, and everything in between. Well let’s see. First of all, ALL of the characters were amazing. Ellie, the main character is probably one of my favorite female protagonists of ALL TIME. Other than the small breakdown she has after being transported back in time (and I mean who WOULDN’T freak out about leaving YOUR time and friends and family) she is calm, cool, collected, sassy. UGH I fucking love her. Kai and Mitzy are just as amazing. Oh—and by the way, this book is DIVERSE. Ellie is Jewish, Kai is Romani, and Mitzy is gay. And that’s just who they are and we get to see how being those people in that time period affects their lives in a place that is so unforgiving.

For those of you who love romance, the stuff we get in here is SO BELIEVABLE AND WILL GIVE YOU BUTTERFLIES AND SO MUCH MOREEEEEE. I just want to cry thinking about it. I don’t want to say any more honestly, you’ll just have to read it and find out yourself. Not sure what direction book two will go in or who will be in it but I am already dying to get my hands on it (which is super depressing seeing as this one doesn’t even come out until September).

If you give a girl a red balloon, she’ll believe in magic and memory. If you give a girl a red balloon, she’ll never want to let go.

Overall, this book just goes to show that one person, magic or no, has the ability to change the course of history with even just one decision—exactly the kind of book that we want to be reading in this day and age.

A HUGEEEEE thank you to Albert Whitman Company, NetGalley, and Katherine Locke for allowing me to read this eArc. It will stick with me FOREVER and I know I will be recommending the shit out of this book for years to come.

So, I'm not the biggest fan of historical fiction, but the premise sounded interesting so I gave it a try. I really enjoyed this! There's some intrigue with the time travel plot line and enough romance to keep me giddy. I'm glad I took a chance with this one.

Ah-Mazing!!! This is going to easily be one of my favorite book of 2017! Everything was perfect in this book. I could not put it down and read in two days despite being super busy. I am so impressed with the writing. It was told from the viewpoint of three main characters and the transition between them was flawless.

A 16 year old girl, Ellie, knew her grandfather survived the Holocaust and mentioned it was all because of a girl giving him a red balloon but Ellie thought he was crazy. It turns out there is more to that story and her grandfather wasn't just trying to entertain her. While in Germany on a school trip, a red balloon suddenly appears. Ellie touches the balloon and is pulled back in time to 1988 East Berlin Germany, with the Wall still standing. She has to figure out how this happened and how to get back. There are many twists and turns to keep you glued to the pages.

I was hooked from the very beginning and never felt that the book had a lull. It is an encouraging story about fighting for what is right. Its about family and loving them despite the cost. There is a love interest but it doesn't overpower the story. This was the first book in a long time that I read where the characters aren't blinded stupid by their emotions. It feels real. The author's notes mention that most of this did happen in real life but not with magic and red balloons.

My favorite quote from the book: "The people never mentioned in the history books still made history." There is so much that is still unknown about what happened during the holocaust and there are so many that are not in the history books. I am thrilled to find out that this is going to be a series and can't wait to see what happens next.

Wow. When I first started reading this book I was a little apprehensive. It was slightly out of my comfort zone, but I was ready to give it a go. I really was not disappointed. What the book gave me was far more than I expected. I loved the characters, they were well described and were easy to imagine. The plot was something original, something new, and one that had me a little stunned at the end. I did not see that coming. It's been a while since I book has surprised me and that is a very good thing.
I adored this book, and I am already recommending it to friends. It has magic, history, and adventure. A perfect combination.

"The Girl with the Red Balloon" is a beautifully written historical fiction fantasy book with a side of sci-fi. I usually don't venture into fantasy or magic but the setting of 1988 East Berlin sparked my interest in this book. I received an ARC from Netgalley and I'm glad I didn't let it sit in my device too long. Although I felt like the storyline dragged a bit towards the middle, there was still enough magic in the writing to have me finish in two days. I'm already looking forward to the sequel and I'm not usually into book series.

There are three points-of-view: Ellie's when she briefly travels to Germany in present time then travels back to 1988 where the rest of her story is told, Kai's who is a Runner, someone who helps people get over the wall, and Benno's back in the 1940's in a Polish ghetto. This is such an interesting concept - using balloons to send people over the Berlin Wall. But there was something about this book that didn't quite make it as enjoyable as I'd hoped. I liked the characters, but I felt as though, except for Benno, we only scratched the surface of who they really were. The writing itself was just okay - sometimes the characters were overly dramatic. I think this book may appeal more to younger readers.

Interesting book.
Honestly, I was disappointed when I thought it was another holocaust book. However, it wasn't. It was about Germany in 1988.


Interesting. Thanks for letting me read this net galley.

THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON is a tale of rebellion, magic, and hope that flies over the walls of history. Shiny, unique, and brave, it reminds us to remember.

I loved this book! Locke did a great job of telling an interesting historical tale without getting bogged down in details. And the magic felt real, with in-text justifications (small ones, but still there) that make it feasible within in our own reality. The characters were diverse, and Ellie's Jewishness felt very present in ways that most stories ever have; I am not Jewish and cannot speak to the specifics of her actions and prayers, but I enjoyed their presence throughout, without feeling like it was overdone. It'll be a wonderful addition to stories with Jewish characters. I look forward to recommending this to teens and adults alike, and to a future sequel.

The Girl With the Red Balloon Review:

First the first few paragraphs, I was hooked. Katherine Locke creates the voice of the sidekick character that we all feel like, most days. Ellie is relatable, and I want to follow her on an adventure, want to watch her understand we’re all the protagonists of our own stories.

I’m a huge history nerd, and spent my undergrad degree in a European Studies program. German history, especially modern German history was my thing. And Locke’s novel is full of history, little bits, little offerings that make this novel come alive. And while this is a work that blends the real with the fantastic, Locke’s “Author’s Note” will unpack what’s what when you’re finished exploring her version of Germany through time.

Kai’s voice is fantastic, so different from Ellie’s and yet, in the same way, I want to sit down and listen to his adventures. I know he knows the ugly side of life, and it makes him vulnerable.

Benno takes us even further back in time to 1941: his is the voice we’re most used to hearing when novels focus on modern German history. But what makes The Girl With The Red Balloon exciting is the layers!! And I love that this story explores what it means to be Jewish, and what connections to the past mean to teenagers like Ellie today!

One thing that I’m not loving is that there’s a lot of telling in the opening of the novel. Some of it’s needed to get the reader situated, but Kai seems to be telling us a lot! His motivation, his feelings for the cause, how Balloons work. And as a reader, I want to do a bit more work myself. Benno does this a bit too when we first meet him.

Four stars.

This review will also be posted on Goodreads and Amazon.

I loved the premise, and the characterization was good... unfortunately, there were a fair number of problems at the sentence level. Much of it read like a very promising second draft, I wish it had been given a bit more editorial attention to help bring the prose to the level that the story deserves.