Road Trip is the first collaboration between author Gary Paulsen and his son Jim, a sculptor. The main narrator is a young teen named Ben. Ben’s family likes to rescue dogs, especially border collies. Ben’s father decides to go on a quick trip to rescue a border collie whose time has run out. Dad also has some news to break to Ben—none of it good. Apparently Ben’s father has quit his job, and there isn’t enough money for hockey camp this summer. Angry at this news, Ben decides to invite an older teen to go on the road trip too. This friend has a sketchy reputation, and Dad is not exactly pleased (which is the whole point). Twenty miles out of town, their dilapidated truck breaks down and they limp into Gus’s auto shop. In an unlikely turn of events, mechanic Gus decides to loan the trio his school bus. But only if Gus can go along on the road trip to keep an eye on his bus. Next they pick up a waitress fleeing a persistent customer. This motley crew encounters adventures on their rescue trip, with Paulsen’s trademark humor and insight. The narration alternates between Ben and his dog Atticus, the elderly family border collie. The adventures are fast-paced and funny, and Atticus proves to be wiser than the humans in charge. Recommended by Victoria for upper elementary readers, and older relucant readers.
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Road Trip is the first collaboration between author Gary Paulsen and his son Jim, a sculptor. The main narrator is a young teen named Ben. Ben’s family likes to rescue dogs, especially border collies. Ben’s father decides to go on a quick trip to rescue a border collie whose time has run out. Dad also has some news to break to Ben—none of it good. Apparently Ben’s father has quit his job, and there isn’t enough money for hockey camp this summer. Angry at this news, Ben decides to invite an older teen to go on the road trip too. This friend has a sketchy reputation, and Dad is not exactly pleased (which is the whole point). Twenty miles out of town, their dilapidated truck breaks down and they limp into Gus’s auto shop. In an unlikely turn of events, mechanic Gus decides to loan the trio his school bus. But only if Gus can go along on the road trip to keep an eye on his bus. Next they pick up a waitress fleeing a persistent customer. This motley crew encounters adventures on their rescue trip, with Paulsen’s trademark humor and insight. The narration alternates between Ben and his dog Atticus, the elderly family border collie. The adventures are fast-paced and funny, and Atticus proves to be wiser than the humans in charge. Recommended by Victoria for upper elementary readers, and older relucant readers.
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