Road Trip - Review

Road Trip - Gary Paulsen, Gito Paulsen

Dogs never lie or cheat, and their default setting is love. Some may seem grumpy, but all dogs have honor, humor, and dignity, and if you're really lucky and you pay attention, they will bring out those same characteristics in you. - Auhtor's Note

 

The race was the most fun I've had all day. We should have run, of course, and not driven, but my boss doesn't run. Can't blame him; only two legs. - Atticus

 

Good thing that Gus is helping Theo and Mia. Someone's  got to keep them straight, and they don't have me. 

I heard him say that he raised everything on four legs on a farm.

Teenagers can't be that much different. - Atticus

 

Road Trip tells the story of Ben, his father and his dog Atticus who notices everything. They are on a road trip to rescue a Border Collie puppy. Ben's dad is a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy and it keeps Ben on his guard. On the road trip, they pick up Ben's friend Theo who is a bit of a thug, a grouchy (but lovable) mechanic - Gus, a big yellow school bus, and a feisty waitress who reads auras - Mia. They have an exciting adventure, along with a mystery because something is up with Theo.

 

This was a great middle grade book with likable characters on a fun adventure. Every other chapter is a one page look at what Atticus thinks about the situation. Atticus is a smart dog and very protective of his family. It is so cute to read what Atticus is thinking. The relationships between the characters seem very real. I love how Atticus is more observant than any of the others and how the road trip brings everyone closer together.

 

Recommended to:

Great book for 4th through 8th graders, especially reluctant readers and those who like dogs.