NATCHEZ &8212; Schools launch balloons every year; every once in a while they get a response back.

Morgantown Elementary fifth-grader Brook Johnson&8217;s balloon found its way &8212; in one piece &8212; to two children in McCall Creek.

Johnson&8217;s balloon was one of 120 to leave Morgantown on Sept. 15 as part of the Accelerated Reader kickoff. By that afternoon, 3-year-old Cade and 1-year-old Avery were playing with the balloon about 60 miles down the road.

Lacey and Clint Wilkinson found the balloon in a tree near their house, Wilkinson said in a letter.

&8220;We were amazed to see that you had let go of it the very same day,&8221; she said. &8220;We hardly ever ride that way, I&8217;m so glad we decided to take that path.&8221;

Johnson, 10, said she was surprised to receive the letter.

The Accelerated Reader kickoff came after a school-wide program to promote reading. AR encourages students to read books on their reading level to receive points for prizes.

&8220;It&8217;s to motivate them, get them interested in wanting to get involved in the AR program,&8221; parent center coordinator Evelyn Hutchins said. &8220;It&8217;s designed to improve reading ability.&8221;

But Johnson doesn&8217;t need any extra motivation, she said.

&8220;I read when I don&8217;t have to,&8221; she said. &8220;Usually in the afternoon when I get home from school.&8221;

Her favorite book is Little House on the Prairie, but her favorite subject in school is math.

&8220;I&8217;m just good at math,&8221; she said. &8220;I understand it.&8221;

Johnson, the daughter of April Till, said when she&8217;s not reading she likes to play on the computer.