Balloon Girls

Balloon Girls is an engaging middle grade book about science-loving Ally and her quest to win a trip to her dream-destination: the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. With the help of her friends, and her dad, Ally is about to find herself on a bigger quest that even she could imagine...

"Who would think that a novel about STEM for girls could also deliver such entertainment? Balloon Girls by Darrell Pitt is packed with drama, crime, mystery, legend—and even a hint of unexpected romance—and wrapped in a layer of gentle humour."—Children's Book Council of Australia

Times are tough in the small town of Yallaroo where Ally Simpson has lived her whole life. The drought impacting the area is sending the neighbours broke and seeing families move away. So when Ally hears about a competition to win the trip of a lifetime to the Smithsonian Museum, she knows she’s got to do everything she can to try and win. Ally enlists her best friends Harmony and Ping to help her plan the most impressive experiment she can imagine!

At first, Ally is pretty sure she’s got the whole competition in the bag. But then, one disaster after another tries to derails her plans and the competition becomes about much more than facts, stats, and balloons. While outwitting competitors, figuring out friendships, and helping her dad to realise the meaning of home, Ally begins to learn the importance of staying grounded even while she’s aiming for the sky…