I mentioned in my post after BEA that I picked up a copy of Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana
The concept behind the book is this: Gannon and Wyatt are twin fifteen-year old boys that explore the world with their parents. (They are homeschooled which makes such travels a possibility.) They research various areas of the globe and travel together as a family. Each of the boys spend their morning doing “math and stuff” and then their afternoon is taken up with explorations of the world around them. In the evening the boys take time to write in their travel journals (and that, my friends, is their English lesson!)
Their mother, Patti Wheeler, is an engaging woman in her own right. What she has done with this book series is to take the travel journals and information gathered during research (i.e., photographs, video footage, etc.) and created a fictionalized tale of their journey, incorporating aspects of it and expanding a bit on their tale.
As I was talking to Patti, she explained that their goal with this book series (which begins with the book on Botswana
As for the book itself, I found Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana
I was particularly struck by two things:
- The Wheeler family strikes me as a “typical” homeschool family who thinks outside of the box. Their freedom and flexibility in homeschooling allows them to engage in this travels which most people have to crunch into their summer schedule (IF they are thinking of going to Botswana at all!) As a homeschooler myself, I appreciated the statement that Gannon made in his introduction to the book when he said:
“You might be wondering whether I miss being in a real school. Well, I have an answer. Undeniably, undoubtedly, emphatically and without hesitation, “no.” I like my classroom overlooking a lagoon in Bora Bora, thank you . . . or on the deck of a log cabin in Alaska . . .” (page 12)
That’s exactly how I felt growing up. I never felt like I was missing out on school. I enjoyed the opportunities that I was able to engage with because I wasn’t locked into a typical schedule.
Let me also be very clear that this book is not a treatise for homeschooling. It is, however, an adventure story made possible due to a flexible schedule that homeschooling offers. That part especially appealed to me.
- The Wheeler family makes things seem possible that previously felt out-of-reach. I think this book and the series is going to have huge appeal to younger readers who feel like the world is an open door of possibilities. Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana
. Gannon & Wyatt are doing big, hard things that most teenagers are not doing and that makes their story intriguing to be sure!)
I really loved this book and the accompanying video which explains more of their journey in Botswana. As happy as I am to introduce you to it, I’m ecstatic to say that I have THREE copies to give away to some 5 Minutes for Books readers! Would you like to win a copy to share with your young, imaginative and free reader?
Do leave a comment then! We’ll announce the winners on July 7.
And even if you don’t win – I sure hope you’ll check out this book. I think it holds a great deal of potential to change the way we view the world. To learn more about Gannon, Wyatt, their book and adventures, visit their website at http://www.travelswithgannonandwyatt.com/
If you’d like to learn more about the Wheeler family’s fascinating travel background which led to this book series, visit Reading to Know to read my interview with Patti Wheeler.
- The winner of the Summer Bridge Activities 2010 workbooks is Julie @ Knitting and Sundries.
- The winner of The Bucolic Plague (the book, of course) is #14 – Alison S.
- The winner of the Picture Books for America’s Birthday is #19 – Lindsay
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
Oh I am totally adding this book to me to read list. As a homeschooling mom I think this would be so fun to read. Thanks for letting me know about it. 🙂
This book sounds very fun to read.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
I’m so disappointed to have missed this at BEA! I was recently in Botswana so I’m interested to see how they portrayed the country and what they did / where they want / what they thought! I would love to win a copy 🙂
Me, me! 🙂 This looks fascinating!
Sounds like a great book!
Ooh! Looks wonderful to read with my 8 year old, who is both homeschooled and interested in exploring the world.
Interesting. Sounds like a good book.
thanks for the chance to win
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
sounds great…sign me up….
Sounds like a great book series.
Please count me in.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
There is a 9 year old grandson that would love to take a trip to Botswana via this book. Maybe he’d read it to grandma.
I hope Canadians can enter! We’re homeschoolers, and this sounds like a really fun book! We love to read stories about homeschooling families :).
This sounds fascinating! Our homeschooling family would love to live vicariously through their travels and adventures!
I purchased Do Hard Things for a grandson. This would be a great companion gift.
This seems like an excellent book, thanks for the thorough reveiw.
Happy Summer!
This sounds like a very interesting book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I would love to share this with a few families who are considering homeschooling their children, hopefully this will help them decide.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
My 7 year old daughter, Catherine went “around the world” in first grade. This book would be a great addition to her passport!
Yes, Carrie, I’d love to win one of these, too.
Looking forward to the travel series of Gannon and Wyatt so their travels can be shared with their counsins in years to come. So greatful that my grandchildren and I are part of their lives.
Oooh…our globe-trotting, non homeschooling family would love to read this one! Because yes, travel is totally possible. I truly believe that.
I met Gannon and Wyatt at a family reunion many years ago. They were interesting as small kids. I would love to read about their adventures as teenagers.
I’m always game to try new books!
This book looks great! My parents lived in Botswana for a while after I was married – I visited them there for a week or so. Would love to read these adventures and share them with my daughter and other family members!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/06/travels-with-gannon-wyatt-botswana.html
I think my nephew would like this book….sign me up
Sounds like an interesting concept. Thanks for the chance
This book sounds terrific! Please add my name to your contest!
Thanks
Nice to read your review of this series. As a public school librarian, I love to know what others hae to say about the latest reads. I’d love to add a copy to the library.
I want to win!