Above Thunder Ridge

Eleven-year-old Quinn pilots a hot-air balloon in the Junior Valley Race just as a storm boils over the peaks. Choose how to handle wind, altitude, gear, and a rival in trouble.

Quinn Alvarez had waited a whole year for this morning. The Junior Valley Balloon Race started at sunrise, and sixteen kids stood in a dewy meadow watching their balloons swell with hot air like sleepy giants waking up.

Quinn's balloon was named Sparrow. Its stripes were sky blue and sunset orange, and when the burner roared, the whole thing glowed like a lantern.

'Remember what I taught you,' said Coach Beck, tightening a strap on Quinn's basket. 'The valley is twelve miles long. Cross Thunder Ridge, follow the river, and land at Copper Field. Listen to the wind more than you listen to your nerves.'

Quinn grinned and gripped the burner handle. 'I was born ready,' Quinn whispered, even though that was only about half true.