I was first introduced to Balloons Lit. Journal in 2015 when I saw
a call for submissions for Issue 2. Investigating further, I was pleased to
find a beautifully designed online magazine of writing and art. This rich
resource is appropriate for a wide audience and features authors from all over
the world, including student writers. As an educator myself, I am immediately
drawn to how this magazine could be a boost to classroom instruction. The first
selection, “The Best Poem You’ll Ever Read” is followed by a challenge to the
reader to write his or her own poem.
So many pieces in this issue would make excellent classroom
writing prompts. “Message from a Stone Buddha to Izzy and Benjamin” is a
delightfully clever letter from a garden statue. Using this piece as a model,
classroom teachers could ask students to write their own letter to a person
from an inanimate object.
An inspirational short fiction, “From Chopin’s Memoirs”
could spark meaningful discussions of how to get through hard times. The
imagery in this story is profound—reminding us that we must use all the keys of
a piano, both black and white, “to play a beautiful tune.”
“Untitled” by thirteen-year-old Ava Caudle lyrically
compares a blank canvas to “a symphony yet to be played,” capturing the
emotional sphere of every young person contemplating the future. The inclusion
of student authors alongside adult writers makes Balloons Lit. Journal an
especially unique publication. And if one did not read the bylines carefully,
the reader might not be able to identify work created by young people rather
than adults. All the selections are thoughtful and finely tuned.
The dynamic artwork in this issue is not to be missed—particularly
Alexandra Bowman’s oil on canvas “Pomegranate” and Sam McCready’s acrylic on
paper, “Evening Trees.” I can see using these images as prompts in both writing
and art classrooms.
Like previous issues of Balloons Lit. Journal, Issue 5 is a visual and textual cornucopia. Every reader will
find something to love. Check out this magazine, available online. Take the time to enjoy it from cover to
cover. You will be uplifted by the variety and depth of the material included. And
like the last piece in this issue, “Take the Time to Dream,” you will be tempted
“to lose yourself in clouds and sky” where your own creativity will soar.
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