Sages Read Recommendations for March 2020
A “trippy”book / A book about a trip, vacation, or journey
ADULT RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang
For fans of Crazy Rich Asians and Schitt’s Creek: meet the Wangs, the unforgettable immigrant family whose spectacular fall from glorious riches to (still name-brand) rags brings them together in a way money never could.
Charles Wang, a brash, lovable businessman who built a cosmetics empire and made a fortune, has just lost everything in the financial crisis. So he rounds up two of his children from schools that he can no longer afford and packs them into the only car that wasn’t repossessed. Together with their wealth-addicted stepmother, Barbra, they head on a cross-country journey from their foreclosed Bel-Air home to the Upstate New York retreat of the eldest Wang daughter, Saina.
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui
By turns funny, insightful, poignant, and unexpected, this mesmerizing debut novel deftly explores the complexities of family, prejudice, immigration...and America.
When the recently widowed Pival Sengupta of Kolkata books a trip with the First Class India USA Destination Vacation Tour Company, she’s not planning a sightseeing extravaganza typical of upper-class Indian tourists. Her mission on this, her first trip overseas, is to find out the truth about her adored but estranged son, Rahi, who had been living in California. Rahi had only recently come out as gay when Pival’s husband received a phone call saying Rahi had died suddenly. Or had he?
The tour itself is a work of haphazard improvisation comprised of quirky characters each with their own vision of and experience with America. As the group travels the United States, making their way to Los Angeles and, Pival hopes, a reunion with her son, her growing knowledge of his adoptive country challenges everything she thought she knew about him. As her relationships with her fellow travellers evolve, they all learn to see America in different, and more profound, ways than they anticipated.
Once More to the Rodeo by Calvin Hennick
A memoir about fatherhood, family, and what it means to be a man in America.
Five years into fatherhood, Calvin Hennick is plagued by self-doubt and full of questions. How can he teach his son to be a man, when his own father figures abandoned him? As a white man, what can he possibly teach his biracial son about how to live as a black man in America? And what does it even mean to be a man today, when society’s expectations of men seem to change from moment to moment?
In search of answers, Calvin takes his young son on the road, traveling across the country to the annual rodeo in his small Iowa hometown. Along the way, a stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame turns into an impromptu lesson about racism and segregation. In Niagara Falls, a day of arcade games and go-karts unexpectedly morphs into a titanic struggle between father and son. A stop in Chicago rips the scars off of old wounds. And back in Iowa, Calvin is forced to confront the most difficult question of all: What if his flaws and family history doom him to repeat the mistakes of the past? In this unforgettable debut memoir, Calvin Hennick holds a mirror up to both himself and modern America, in an urgent and timely story that all parents, and indeed all Americans, need to read.
The Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
The Booker Prize-nominated English-language debut from the two-time NBCC finalist: an emotionally resonant, fiercely imaginative, and utterly timely novel about a family’s road trip across America.
A mother and father set out with their two children, a boy and a girl, driving from New York to Arizona in the heat of summer. On the radio, there is news about an “immigration crisis”: thousands of kids trying to cross the southwestern border into the United States but getting detained—or lost in the desert along the way. At the same time, those in the car face a crisis of their own, and as they travel west, through Virginia to Tennessee, across Oklahoma and Texas, the bonds between them begin to fray. Told from multiple points of view and blending texts, sounds, and images, Lost Children Archive is an astonishing feat of literary virtuosity and a richly engaging story of how we document our experiences and how we remember the things that matter to us the most.
One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan
The heart-warming (and heart-rending!) story of an unlikely friendship that develops between a newly single forty-something woman, embarking solo on the holiday of a lifetime to Paris, and the rebellious teenage neighbor she takes under her wing.
To celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Grace has planned the surprise of a lifetime for her husband—a romantic getaway to Paris. But she never expected he’d have a surprise of his own: he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock but refusing to be broken, a devastated Grace makes the bold decision to go to Paris alone.
Audrey, a young woman from London, has left behind a heartache of her own when she arrives in Paris. A job in a bookshop is her ticket to freedom, but with no money and no knowledge of the French language, suddenly a summer spent wandering the cobbled streets alone seems much more likely…until she meets Grace, and everything changes.
Grace can’t believe how daring Audrey is. Audrey can’t believe how cautious newly single Grace is. Living in neighboring apartments above the bookshop, this unlikely pair offer each other just what they’ve both been missing. They came to Paris to find themselves, but finding this unbreakable friendship might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them…
Quichotte by Salman Rushdie
In a tour de force that is as much an homage to an immortal work of literature as it is to the quest for love and family, Booker Prize-winning, internationally bestselling author Salman Rushdie has created a dazzling Don Quixote for the modern age.
Inspired by the Cervantes classic, Sam DuChamp, mediocre writer of spy thrillers, creates Quichotte, a courtly, addled salesman obsessed with television, who falls in impossible love with a TV star. Together with his (imaginary) son Sancho, Quichotte sets off on a picaresque quest across America to prove worthy of her hand, gallantly braving the tragicomic perils of an age where “Anything-Can-Happen.” Meanwhile his creator, in a midlife crisis, has equally urgent challenges of his own.
Just as Cervantes wrote Don Quixote to satirize the culture of his time, Rushdie takes the reader on a wild ride through a country on the verge of moral and spiritual collapse. And with the kind of storytelling magic that is the hallmark of his work, the fully realized lives of DuChamp and Quichotte intertwine in a profoundly human quest for love and a wickedly entertaining portrait of an age in which fact is so often indiscernible from fiction.
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
An intimate journey across America, as told by one of its most beloved writers.
In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country he had been writing about for so many years, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people. To reassure himself, he set out on a voyage of rediscovery of the American identity, through almost 40 states, accompanied by a distinguished French poodle named Charley and riding in a three-quarter-ton pickup truck named Rocinante.
Together, they drive the interstates and the country roads, dine with truckers, encounter bears at Yellowstone and old friends in San Francisco. Along the way. Steinbeck reflects on the American character, racial hostility, the particular form of American loneliness he finds almost everywhere, and the unexpected kindness of strangers. Written during a time of upheaval and racial tension in the South—which Steinbeck witnessed firsthand--Travels with Charley is a stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade.
Others on our list: Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers | Dead Man Running by Steve Hamilton | The Mission of a Lifetime: Lessons from Men Who Went to the Moon by Basil Hero | On the Road by Jack Kerouac | This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger | The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern | The Life List by Lori Spielman | The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
YA AND MG RECOMMENDATIONS:
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman (recommended for ages 14 and up)
In the spirit of True Grit, the cutthroat days of the Wild West come to life for a new generation.
When Kate Thompson’s father is killed by the notorious Rose Riders for a mysterious journal that reveals the secret location of a gold mine, the eighteen-year-old disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers and justice. What she finds are devious strangers, dust storms, and a pair of brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow.
But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, she gets closer to the truth about herself and must decide if there's room for love in a heart so full of hate.
Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Clark (recommended for ages 12 and up)
A timely, fresh, and funny YA novel about a life-changing road trip for two best friends, one of whom is transgender.
The last time Jess saw her father, she was a boy. Now she’s a high school graduate, soon to be on her way to art school. But first she has some unfinished business with her dad. So she’s driving halfway across the country to his wedding. He happens to be marrying her mom’s ex-best friend. It’s not like Jess wasn’t invited; she was. She just never told anyone she was coming. Surprise!
Luckily, Jess isn’t making this trip alone. Her best friend, Christophe—nicknamed Chunk—is joining her.
Along the way, Jess and Chunk learn a few things about themselves—and each other—which call their feelings about their relationship into question.
American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott (recommended for ages 12 and up)
A raw, honest YA about two Mexican-American teens on a road trip odyssey to heal their brother’s PTSD following his tour in Iraq.
With a strong, loving family, an incredibly loyal best friend, and a budding romance with the girl of his dreams, life shows promise for seventeen-year-old Teodoro “T” Avila. But he takes some hard hits the summer before his senior year when his nearly perfect brother Manny returns from a tour in Iraq with a devastating case of PTSD.
In a desperate effort to save Manny from himself and pull their family back together, T's fiery sister Xochitl hoodwinks her brothers into a road trip with many stops along the road to visit loved ones from their past.
Told in T’s raw voice, this is a candid exploration of mental illness, socio-economic pressures, and the many inescapable anxieties that come with growing up, including falling in love.
The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson (recommended for ages 10 and up)
For fans of A Wrinkle in Time and The School of Good and Evil, The Mark of the Dragonfly is a fast-paced adventure story about a mysterious girl and a fearless boy, set in a magical world that is both exciting and dangerous. Written by an amazing, local author!
Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn’t remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she’s from the Dragonfly Territories and that she’s protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect—everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible. Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.
Layoverland by Gabby Noone (recommended for ages 14 and up)
Dead Like Me meets The Good Place in this darkly hilarious and heartfelt twist on the afterlife about finding second chances, first loves, and new friendships in the most unlikely places.
Beatrice Fox deserves to go straight to hell.
At least, that’s what she believes. Her last day on Earth, she ruined the life of the person she loves most—her little sister, Emmy. So when Bea awakens from a fatal car accident to find herself on an airplane headed who knows where, she’s confused, to say the least.
Once on the ground, Bea receives some truly harrowing news: she’s in purgatory. If she ever wants to catch a flight to heaven, she’ll have to help five thousand souls figure out what’s keeping them from moving on.
But one of Bea’s first assignments is Caleb, the boy who caused her accident, and the last person Bea would ever want to send to the pearly gates. And as much as Bea would love to see Caleb suffer for dooming her to a seemingly endless future of eating bad airport food and listening to other people’s problems, she can’t help but notice that he’s kind of cute, and sort of sweet, and that maybe, despite her best efforts, she’s totally falling for him.
The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald Smith (recommended for ages 10 and up)
In this delightfully creepy novel from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner Ronald L. Smith, twelve-year-old Simon thinks he was abducted by aliens. But is it real, or just his over-active imagination? Perfect for fans of Mary Downing Hahn and Louis Sachar.
Twelve-year-old Simon is obsessed with aliens. The ones who take people and do experiments. When he's too worried about them to sleep, he listens to the owls hoot outside. Owls that have the same eyes as aliens—dark and foreboding.
Then something strange happens on a camping trip, and Simon begins to suspect he’s been abducted. But is it real, or just the overactive imagination of a kid who loves fantasy and role-playing games and is the target of bullies and his father’s scorn?
Even readers who don’t believe in UFOs will relate to the universal kid feeling of not being taken seriously by adults that deepens this deliciously scary tale.
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone (recommended for ages 8 and up)
Set against the backdrop of the segregation history of the American South, take a trip with New York Times bestselling Nic Stone and an eleven-year-old boy who is about to discover that the world hasn’t always been a welcoming place for kids like him, and things aren’t always what they seem—his G’ma included.
How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma:
Grab a Suitcase: Prepacked from the big spring break trip that got CANCELLED.
Fasten Your Seatbelt: G’ma’s never conventional, so this trip won’t be either.
Use the Green Book: G’ma’s most treasured possession. It holds history, memories, and most important, the way home.
What Not to Bring:
A Cell Phone: Avoid contact with Dad at all costs. Even when G’ma starts acting stranger than usual.
Others on our list: Finding Orion by John David Anderson (MG) | Mosquitoland by David Arnold | Going Bovine by Libba Bray | The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody | The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare & Wesley Chu | Illegal by Eoin Colfer | Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova | Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle | Road Tripped by Pete Hautman | Mariam Sharma Hits the Road by Sheba Karim | Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana | Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorrum | The Last True Love Story by Brendan Kiely | Road Trip by Gary and Jim Paulsen (MG) | Sisters by Raina Telgemeier (MG) | Road Trip with Max and His Mom by Linda Urban | Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward | Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Wen
EARLY CHAPTER AND PICTURE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Elizabeth, Queen of the Sea by Lynette Cox
World-renowned swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Brian Floca team up to bring us this inspiring story of an elephant seal who knew exactly where she belonged.
Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea. But Elizabeth swims all the way back to Christchurch. The volunteers catch her again and again—each time towing her farther, even hundreds of miles away—but, still, Elizabeth finds her way back home. Lots of great information about elephant seals in the back!
Llama Llama Gram & Grandpa by Anna Dewdney
Kids’ favorite, Llama Llama, has his very first sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa!
It’s an exciting day for Llama Llama; he’s going to visit Gram and Grandpa Llama and spend the night! His first night away from home….and from Mama. But he makes sure to pack everything he needs. And there are so many fun things to do with Gram and Grandpa. It’s not until he gets ready for bed that he realizes that he’s forgotten something important. Fuzzy Llama! Fortunately, Grandpa Llama has a wonderful solution and soon Llama Llama is having sweet dreams.
Stella Diaz Never Gives Up by Angela Dominguez (recommended for ages 6 - 9)
From award-winning author Angela Dominguez, a second novel about Stella Díaz, a shy Mexican-American girl who speaks up to make a difference in her community.
Stella gets a big surprise when her mom plans a trip to visit their family in Mexico! Stella loves marine animals, and she can't wait to see the ocean for the first time . . . until she arrives and learns that the sea and its life forms are in danger due to pollution.
Stella wants to save the ocean, but she knows she can't do it alone. It's going to take a lot of work and help from old and new friends to make a difference, but Stella Díaz never gives up!
Based on the author's experiences growing up Mexican-American, this infectiously charming character comes to life through relatable storytelling, including simple Spanish vocabulary and adorable black-and-white art throughout. Great early chapter book series for young readers!
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons
A 2020 Caldecott Honor Book that is a rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual. Kelly Starling Lyons' eloquent text explores the power of family traditions and stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multigenerational family.
"On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home.”
Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to family history. All the kids have to decide on what tribute to share, but what will Lil Alan do?
The Camping Trip that Changed America by Barb Rosenstock
Caldecott medalist Mordicai Gerstein captures the majestic redwoods of Yosemite in this little-known, but important story from our nation's history.
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt joined naturalist John Muir on a trip to Yosemite. Camping by themselves in the uncharted woods, the two men saw sights and held discussions that would ultimately lead to the establishment of our National Parks. This presidential history with a timely environmental message is not to be missed!
Are We There Yet? by Dan Santat
"Are we there yet?" Every parent has heard this classic kid question--but after reading this astonishingly inventive book (that even turns upside down for several pages!), you'll never look at being bored the same way again!
Everyone knows that when a long car ride gets boring, time slows down. In this book, a boy feels time slowing down so much that it starts going backward--into the time of pirates! Of princesses! Of dinosaurs! This kid may have just been trying to get to his grandmother's birthday party, but instead he's traveling through Ancient Egypt and rubbing shoulders with Ben Franklin. When time flies, who knows where--or when--he'll end up.
Ida and the Whale by Rebecca Gugger and Simon Röthlisberger
This gentle, philosophical tale is a visual treat sure to fill curious little listeners with wonder.
What lies behind the sun, the moon, and the stars? Ida can’t stop thinking about these and other very important questions. Then one night, a flying whale wakes her and takes her on an amazing journey—where some of her questions are answered and even more created.
Others in our list: Pony to the Rescue by Jeanne Betancourt (EC) | Arthur’s Family Vacation by Marc Brown | Clifford Takes a Trip by Norman Bridwell | The House Takes a Vacation by Jacqueline Davies | The Ghosts’ Trip to Loch Ness by Jacques Duguennoy | Mallory on Board by Laurie Friedman (EC) | Bailey Goes Camping by Kevin Henkes | Mother Bruce by Ryan Higgins | Duck, Duck, Moose by Dave Horowitz | Amelia Bedelia Road Trip! by Herman Parish | Nya’s Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park | Clementine and the Spring Trip by Sara Pennypacker | Going on an Airplane by Fred Rogers | The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant | I Don’t Want to Go by Addie Sanders
A “trippy”book / A book about a trip, vacation, or journey
ADULT RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang
For fans of Crazy Rich Asians and Schitt’s Creek: meet the Wangs, the unforgettable immigrant family whose spectacular fall from glorious riches to (still name-brand) rags brings them together in a way money never could.
Charles Wang, a brash, lovable businessman who built a cosmetics empire and made a fortune, has just lost everything in the financial crisis. So he rounds up two of his children from schools that he can no longer afford and packs them into the only car that wasn’t repossessed. Together with their wealth-addicted stepmother, Barbra, they head on a cross-country journey from their foreclosed Bel-Air home to the Upstate New York retreat of the eldest Wang daughter, Saina.
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui
By turns funny, insightful, poignant, and unexpected, this mesmerizing debut novel deftly explores the complexities of family, prejudice, immigration...and America.
When the recently widowed Pival Sengupta of Kolkata books a trip with the First Class India USA Destination Vacation Tour Company, she’s not planning a sightseeing extravaganza typical of upper-class Indian tourists. Her mission on this, her first trip overseas, is to find out the truth about her adored but estranged son, Rahi, who had been living in California. Rahi had only recently come out as gay when Pival’s husband received a phone call saying Rahi had died suddenly. Or had he?
The tour itself is a work of haphazard improvisation comprised of quirky characters each with their own vision of and experience with America. As the group travels the United States, making their way to Los Angeles and, Pival hopes, a reunion with her son, her growing knowledge of his adoptive country challenges everything she thought she knew about him. As her relationships with her fellow travellers evolve, they all learn to see America in different, and more profound, ways than they anticipated.
Once More to the Rodeo by Calvin Hennick
A memoir about fatherhood, family, and what it means to be a man in America.
Five years into fatherhood, Calvin Hennick is plagued by self-doubt and full of questions. How can he teach his son to be a man, when his own father figures abandoned him? As a white man, what can he possibly teach his biracial son about how to live as a black man in America? And what does it even mean to be a man today, when society’s expectations of men seem to change from moment to moment?
In search of answers, Calvin takes his young son on the road, traveling across the country to the annual rodeo in his small Iowa hometown. Along the way, a stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame turns into an impromptu lesson about racism and segregation. In Niagara Falls, a day of arcade games and go-karts unexpectedly morphs into a titanic struggle between father and son. A stop in Chicago rips the scars off of old wounds. And back in Iowa, Calvin is forced to confront the most difficult question of all: What if his flaws and family history doom him to repeat the mistakes of the past? In this unforgettable debut memoir, Calvin Hennick holds a mirror up to both himself and modern America, in an urgent and timely story that all parents, and indeed all Americans, need to read.
The Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
The Booker Prize-nominated English-language debut from the two-time NBCC finalist: an emotionally resonant, fiercely imaginative, and utterly timely novel about a family’s road trip across America.
A mother and father set out with their two children, a boy and a girl, driving from New York to Arizona in the heat of summer. On the radio, there is news about an “immigration crisis”: thousands of kids trying to cross the southwestern border into the United States but getting detained—or lost in the desert along the way. At the same time, those in the car face a crisis of their own, and as they travel west, through Virginia to Tennessee, across Oklahoma and Texas, the bonds between them begin to fray. Told from multiple points of view and blending texts, sounds, and images, Lost Children Archive is an astonishing feat of literary virtuosity and a richly engaging story of how we document our experiences and how we remember the things that matter to us the most.
One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan
The heart-warming (and heart-rending!) story of an unlikely friendship that develops between a newly single forty-something woman, embarking solo on the holiday of a lifetime to Paris, and the rebellious teenage neighbor she takes under her wing.
To celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Grace has planned the surprise of a lifetime for her husband—a romantic getaway to Paris. But she never expected he’d have a surprise of his own: he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock but refusing to be broken, a devastated Grace makes the bold decision to go to Paris alone.
Audrey, a young woman from London, has left behind a heartache of her own when she arrives in Paris. A job in a bookshop is her ticket to freedom, but with no money and no knowledge of the French language, suddenly a summer spent wandering the cobbled streets alone seems much more likely…until she meets Grace, and everything changes.
Grace can’t believe how daring Audrey is. Audrey can’t believe how cautious newly single Grace is. Living in neighboring apartments above the bookshop, this unlikely pair offer each other just what they’ve both been missing. They came to Paris to find themselves, but finding this unbreakable friendship might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them…
Quichotte by Salman Rushdie
In a tour de force that is as much an homage to an immortal work of literature as it is to the quest for love and family, Booker Prize-winning, internationally bestselling author Salman Rushdie has created a dazzling Don Quixote for the modern age.
Inspired by the Cervantes classic, Sam DuChamp, mediocre writer of spy thrillers, creates Quichotte, a courtly, addled salesman obsessed with television, who falls in impossible love with a TV star. Together with his (imaginary) son Sancho, Quichotte sets off on a picaresque quest across America to prove worthy of her hand, gallantly braving the tragicomic perils of an age where “Anything-Can-Happen.” Meanwhile his creator, in a midlife crisis, has equally urgent challenges of his own.
Just as Cervantes wrote Don Quixote to satirize the culture of his time, Rushdie takes the reader on a wild ride through a country on the verge of moral and spiritual collapse. And with the kind of storytelling magic that is the hallmark of his work, the fully realized lives of DuChamp and Quichotte intertwine in a profoundly human quest for love and a wickedly entertaining portrait of an age in which fact is so often indiscernible from fiction.
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
An intimate journey across America, as told by one of its most beloved writers.
In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country he had been writing about for so many years, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people. To reassure himself, he set out on a voyage of rediscovery of the American identity, through almost 40 states, accompanied by a distinguished French poodle named Charley and riding in a three-quarter-ton pickup truck named Rocinante.
Together, they drive the interstates and the country roads, dine with truckers, encounter bears at Yellowstone and old friends in San Francisco. Along the way. Steinbeck reflects on the American character, racial hostility, the particular form of American loneliness he finds almost everywhere, and the unexpected kindness of strangers. Written during a time of upheaval and racial tension in the South—which Steinbeck witnessed firsthand--Travels with Charley is a stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade.
Others on our list: Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers | Dead Man Running by Steve Hamilton | The Mission of a Lifetime: Lessons from Men Who Went to the Moon by Basil Hero | On the Road by Jack Kerouac | This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger | The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern | The Life List by Lori Spielman | The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
YA AND MG RECOMMENDATIONS:
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman (recommended for ages 14 and up)
In the spirit of True Grit, the cutthroat days of the Wild West come to life for a new generation.
When Kate Thompson’s father is killed by the notorious Rose Riders for a mysterious journal that reveals the secret location of a gold mine, the eighteen-year-old disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers and justice. What she finds are devious strangers, dust storms, and a pair of brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow.
But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, she gets closer to the truth about herself and must decide if there's room for love in a heart so full of hate.
Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Clark (recommended for ages 12 and up)
A timely, fresh, and funny YA novel about a life-changing road trip for two best friends, one of whom is transgender.
The last time Jess saw her father, she was a boy. Now she’s a high school graduate, soon to be on her way to art school. But first she has some unfinished business with her dad. So she’s driving halfway across the country to his wedding. He happens to be marrying her mom’s ex-best friend. It’s not like Jess wasn’t invited; she was. She just never told anyone she was coming. Surprise!
Luckily, Jess isn’t making this trip alone. Her best friend, Christophe—nicknamed Chunk—is joining her.
Along the way, Jess and Chunk learn a few things about themselves—and each other—which call their feelings about their relationship into question.
American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott (recommended for ages 12 and up)
A raw, honest YA about two Mexican-American teens on a road trip odyssey to heal their brother’s PTSD following his tour in Iraq.
With a strong, loving family, an incredibly loyal best friend, and a budding romance with the girl of his dreams, life shows promise for seventeen-year-old Teodoro “T” Avila. But he takes some hard hits the summer before his senior year when his nearly perfect brother Manny returns from a tour in Iraq with a devastating case of PTSD.
In a desperate effort to save Manny from himself and pull their family back together, T's fiery sister Xochitl hoodwinks her brothers into a road trip with many stops along the road to visit loved ones from their past.
Told in T’s raw voice, this is a candid exploration of mental illness, socio-economic pressures, and the many inescapable anxieties that come with growing up, including falling in love.
The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson (recommended for ages 10 and up)
For fans of A Wrinkle in Time and The School of Good and Evil, The Mark of the Dragonfly is a fast-paced adventure story about a mysterious girl and a fearless boy, set in a magical world that is both exciting and dangerous. Written by an amazing, local author!
Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn’t remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she’s from the Dragonfly Territories and that she’s protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect—everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible. Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.
Layoverland by Gabby Noone (recommended for ages 14 and up)
Dead Like Me meets The Good Place in this darkly hilarious and heartfelt twist on the afterlife about finding second chances, first loves, and new friendships in the most unlikely places.
Beatrice Fox deserves to go straight to hell.
At least, that’s what she believes. Her last day on Earth, she ruined the life of the person she loves most—her little sister, Emmy. So when Bea awakens from a fatal car accident to find herself on an airplane headed who knows where, she’s confused, to say the least.
Once on the ground, Bea receives some truly harrowing news: she’s in purgatory. If she ever wants to catch a flight to heaven, she’ll have to help five thousand souls figure out what’s keeping them from moving on.
But one of Bea’s first assignments is Caleb, the boy who caused her accident, and the last person Bea would ever want to send to the pearly gates. And as much as Bea would love to see Caleb suffer for dooming her to a seemingly endless future of eating bad airport food and listening to other people’s problems, she can’t help but notice that he’s kind of cute, and sort of sweet, and that maybe, despite her best efforts, she’s totally falling for him.
The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald Smith (recommended for ages 10 and up)
In this delightfully creepy novel from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner Ronald L. Smith, twelve-year-old Simon thinks he was abducted by aliens. But is it real, or just his over-active imagination? Perfect for fans of Mary Downing Hahn and Louis Sachar.
Twelve-year-old Simon is obsessed with aliens. The ones who take people and do experiments. When he's too worried about them to sleep, he listens to the owls hoot outside. Owls that have the same eyes as aliens—dark and foreboding.
Then something strange happens on a camping trip, and Simon begins to suspect he’s been abducted. But is it real, or just the overactive imagination of a kid who loves fantasy and role-playing games and is the target of bullies and his father’s scorn?
Even readers who don’t believe in UFOs will relate to the universal kid feeling of not being taken seriously by adults that deepens this deliciously scary tale.
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone (recommended for ages 8 and up)
Set against the backdrop of the segregation history of the American South, take a trip with New York Times bestselling Nic Stone and an eleven-year-old boy who is about to discover that the world hasn’t always been a welcoming place for kids like him, and things aren’t always what they seem—his G’ma included.
How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma:
Grab a Suitcase: Prepacked from the big spring break trip that got CANCELLED.
Fasten Your Seatbelt: G’ma’s never conventional, so this trip won’t be either.
Use the Green Book: G’ma’s most treasured possession. It holds history, memories, and most important, the way home.
What Not to Bring:
A Cell Phone: Avoid contact with Dad at all costs. Even when G’ma starts acting stranger than usual.
Others on our list: Finding Orion by John David Anderson (MG) | Mosquitoland by David Arnold | Going Bovine by Libba Bray | The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody | The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare & Wesley Chu | Illegal by Eoin Colfer | Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova | Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle | Road Tripped by Pete Hautman | Mariam Sharma Hits the Road by Sheba Karim | Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana | Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorrum | The Last True Love Story by Brendan Kiely | Road Trip by Gary and Jim Paulsen (MG) | Sisters by Raina Telgemeier (MG) | Road Trip with Max and His Mom by Linda Urban | Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward | Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Wen
EARLY CHAPTER AND PICTURE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Elizabeth, Queen of the Sea by Lynette Cox
World-renowned swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Brian Floca team up to bring us this inspiring story of an elephant seal who knew exactly where she belonged.
Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea. But Elizabeth swims all the way back to Christchurch. The volunteers catch her again and again—each time towing her farther, even hundreds of miles away—but, still, Elizabeth finds her way back home. Lots of great information about elephant seals in the back!
Llama Llama Gram & Grandpa by Anna Dewdney
Kids’ favorite, Llama Llama, has his very first sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa!
It’s an exciting day for Llama Llama; he’s going to visit Gram and Grandpa Llama and spend the night! His first night away from home….and from Mama. But he makes sure to pack everything he needs. And there are so many fun things to do with Gram and Grandpa. It’s not until he gets ready for bed that he realizes that he’s forgotten something important. Fuzzy Llama! Fortunately, Grandpa Llama has a wonderful solution and soon Llama Llama is having sweet dreams.
Stella Diaz Never Gives Up by Angela Dominguez (recommended for ages 6 - 9)
From award-winning author Angela Dominguez, a second novel about Stella Díaz, a shy Mexican-American girl who speaks up to make a difference in her community.
Stella gets a big surprise when her mom plans a trip to visit their family in Mexico! Stella loves marine animals, and she can't wait to see the ocean for the first time . . . until she arrives and learns that the sea and its life forms are in danger due to pollution.
Stella wants to save the ocean, but she knows she can't do it alone. It's going to take a lot of work and help from old and new friends to make a difference, but Stella Díaz never gives up!
Based on the author's experiences growing up Mexican-American, this infectiously charming character comes to life through relatable storytelling, including simple Spanish vocabulary and adorable black-and-white art throughout. Great early chapter book series for young readers!
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons
A 2020 Caldecott Honor Book that is a rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual. Kelly Starling Lyons' eloquent text explores the power of family traditions and stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multigenerational family.
"On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home.”
Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to family history. All the kids have to decide on what tribute to share, but what will Lil Alan do?
The Camping Trip that Changed America by Barb Rosenstock
Caldecott medalist Mordicai Gerstein captures the majestic redwoods of Yosemite in this little-known, but important story from our nation's history.
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt joined naturalist John Muir on a trip to Yosemite. Camping by themselves in the uncharted woods, the two men saw sights and held discussions that would ultimately lead to the establishment of our National Parks. This presidential history with a timely environmental message is not to be missed!
Are We There Yet? by Dan Santat
"Are we there yet?" Every parent has heard this classic kid question--but after reading this astonishingly inventive book (that even turns upside down for several pages!), you'll never look at being bored the same way again!
Everyone knows that when a long car ride gets boring, time slows down. In this book, a boy feels time slowing down so much that it starts going backward--into the time of pirates! Of princesses! Of dinosaurs! This kid may have just been trying to get to his grandmother's birthday party, but instead he's traveling through Ancient Egypt and rubbing shoulders with Ben Franklin. When time flies, who knows where--or when--he'll end up.
Ida and the Whale by Rebecca Gugger and Simon Röthlisberger
This gentle, philosophical tale is a visual treat sure to fill curious little listeners with wonder.
What lies behind the sun, the moon, and the stars? Ida can’t stop thinking about these and other very important questions. Then one night, a flying whale wakes her and takes her on an amazing journey—where some of her questions are answered and even more created.
Others in our list: Pony to the Rescue by Jeanne Betancourt (EC) | Arthur’s Family Vacation by Marc Brown | Clifford Takes a Trip by Norman Bridwell | The House Takes a Vacation by Jacqueline Davies | The Ghosts’ Trip to Loch Ness by Jacques Duguennoy | Mallory on Board by Laurie Friedman (EC) | Bailey Goes Camping by Kevin Henkes | Mother Bruce by Ryan Higgins | Duck, Duck, Moose by Dave Horowitz | Amelia Bedelia Road Trip! by Herman Parish | Nya’s Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park | Clementine and the Spring Trip by Sara Pennypacker | Going on an Airplane by Fred Rogers | The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant | I Don’t Want to Go by Addie Sanders