I liked this book for 3 reasons. One reason I liked this book was because of the setting. I liked that the majority of the story took place in Baltimore which is near where I live. Another reason a liked this book was because of the illustrations. The pictures depicted amazement, worry, and excitement. Amazement when the balloon got off the and cheer for Edward in the balloon, excitement when the balloon first was announced to go in the air, and worry when the balloon fell. The third reason I liked the book was because it was historical fiction. The events a people were real but then the dialogue isn't exact so that part was interesting. Overall, children learn about an exciting real even that took place with a slight fictional twist. ( )