Road Trip

Every year we take a road trip around the country. One of the things most people find surprising is, we don't take along a DVD player. So one of the things we do is listen to Audio books. Over the years we have listened to many books. Since we spend so much time in the car I usually find a whole series to listen to over the course of the trip.

So I had a friend ask me some suggestions for our favorites. So I decided to go back and make a list of books we've listened to over the years. This is most of them, there are few that have escaped me.

Harry Potter - we listened to all 7 books, we bought the last several books in the middle of our trip on their release day, a bit scary for younger ages, my kids have all listened to them and loved them.

Little House on the Prairie - Entire series, a family favorite, I would like to visit some of the places the Ingalls lived. We driven close to some of the places out in the middle of no where, South Dakota.

Gregor. Underland series - If you are a fan of Hunger Games, same author, written for a younger audience, we really enjoyed all 5 books. There is some violence, less violent than Harry Potter, but there are several battles that take place.

Unfinished Angel - My kids loved the funny sound effects from this story.

Calder Games, Chasing Vermeer, Wright 3 by Blue Balliett - Enjoyed this series and enjoyed learning a little culture along the way. We listened to the Wright 3 while visiting Chicago and the Frank Lloyd Wright House that the story centers around.

When You Reach Me - I really enjoyed this book, the book appealed to my older kids, along the lines of 10 and older. The content is appropriate for all ages, but the story may be harder to follow for younger kids. The story centers around a 12 year old girl, who starts getting these strange notes claiming to want to save her life.

Melendy Quartet - Loved this sweet series, The Saturday, Four Story Mistake, Then there Were Five, there is a fourth one, Spiderweb for Two we haven't listened to yet.

BFG - If you are familiar with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this is another fun story by Roald Dahl.

Bud, Not Buddy - Set in the depression era, about an African-American 10 year old orphan. I tend to pick put a lot of Newbury Award winners and this is one I really enjoyed.

Hattie Big Sky - Orphaned, 16 year old Hattie inherits a homestead in Montana and the adventures and trials of trying to fulfill the requirements to keep the homestead.

Beverly Cleary - Love all of her books.

The Penderwicks - the adventures of 4 sisters, perfect for our family. I think the adventurous girls would appeal to both boys and girls.

Water Street - set during the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, loved learning some of the history, apparently this is a continuation of the story and there are 2 books previous to this one. I am going to have to look for the others.

I am trying to figure out what to listen to this summer, I have Anne of Green Gables series and one possibility, but I think we may have listened to parts of it. We definitely have watched the series many times. Anyone have any suggestions?