Vacations Books

I really enjoyed reading Lisa's book, "Running With Champions". I thought it gave a great "insiders look" at what it really takes to run the Iditarod. As a reader, it was overwhelming to read about the physical preparations it takes just to get your gear and dogs ready... the endless hours of running the dogs, and of course, learning how "NOT" to do things. That is ALL before you get to the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage!

I thought that her writing style was engaging, and she was more than willing to share the ups and downs of her adventures. I enjoyed her sense of humor about the goof ups, and accidents she had during training. I thought her insights into living with and training with one of the "Big Dogs" of mushing, Jeff King, was fascinating. I have often wondered what makes these mushers tick.

I have read other books by other female mushers, and by far, Lisa's book was the most engaged, and engaging. Very thoughtful, warm and fun... Thanks for writing this book for us middle-aged gals!

Lisa was the tour guide on our 9 hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali NP in September and did a great job. Great on stories, history, and of course her dogs. The book is just like talking to Lisa. She has a very outgoing personality and a true love of Alaska - this comes through clearly in her book as well. This book also makes a great gift.

As others who reviewed this book, I too met the author and her husband, but not in Alaska, but in Belize, Central America of all places! After a sailing trip in a group, my friend and I had breakfast with them one morning. Off-handedly, she mentioned the experience and book. 7 months later after looking at some photos, I was reminded of it, and sent for it.
What a nice surprise! I Loved it! Not only was it interesting and inspiring, but the girl can write too! I cried several times and cheered her on. I'm passing it on to my neighbor for her trip this weekend. My only regret is that I hadn't known about her or her book before we met briefly. I would have talked her ear off with questions. So, when's the movie coming out!

I visited Alaska this year in early March during the week before the Iditerod and went to Lisa Frederic's book signing, bought the book, and absolutely loved it. She has the insight, humility and sense of humor to convey the exhilaration and the strain of this adventure. She was also very accessible and easy to talk to, brought her dogs with her, and read just enough of the book to make me want to buy it and read it. This book helped me understand and appreciate the race and the time I spent in Alaska. I can not recommend it enough.

On a recent trip to Alaska's Denali National Park, my wife and I were fortunate to have an extremely knowledgeable tour guide who had spent the last 27 years in Alaska, first as a commercial fisherman(or fisherwoman) and now as a dog trainer/fisherman/tour guide. Only in passing, at the end of our delightful 8 hour tour, did she mention that she had completed the Iditarod (at age 42). Seeing this obviously healthy, energetic, and outgoing person and hearing this rather incredible story certainly piqued our interest. As we were leaving, she also mentioned that she had written an account of her adventure "Running with Champions". At our first stop, at the Denali Wilderness Center, we found the book and both of us read it in the next three days. I only hope that Alaskan travelers can have the pleasure of Lisa's company on the Denali tour and share in her story and extensive knowledge of this great state and National Park. If Alaska isn't in your plans, please read this book and share Lisa's love of life, dogs, and the challenges of the Alaska frontier.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. I am not a teenager anymore but I still loved it. I could relate. I read it in one evening and wished that there was book 2 to read. Please keep writing these great, funny books.

Finally! My 3rd-grade daughter used to dread reading, and the first book "Matt the Brat" got her hooked! This is the first time she has wished that there were more books in a series. Carol Weston, please write more!!

I LOVED this book. it was great. all of the Melanie Martin books are great. In this one she goes with her parents to Spain. her dad has business in Spain to do so her mom used frequent flyer miles to have the whole family go with him. In Spain Melanie's mom meets up with her old boyfriend Antonio. When there. melanie falls for Antonio's son Miguel. In this book many adventures come in with love between Melanie and Miguel. Also surprisling Matt the Brat helps out to keep Melanie and Miguel alone or gives Melanie tips, like when Miguel's cousin comes and Melanie thought it was Miguel's girlfriend. This book was great and I'd recommend it for all ahges.

I bought this book from amazon.com and read it the day it came. It's so sweet to see Melanie in love! Stocked with bullfights, fireworks and of course, ROMANCE, this book rocks! It's almost like being in Europe yourself! This book is a must-read!

The Martin family band together for a two-week Spring break vacation as seen through the eyes of 11-year-old Melanie. Readers join Melanie through the pain and confusion of first love as she fills her senses with the compelling Spanish landscape. This is an amusing linguistic travel adventure written in diary format. Because the author phonetically spells the Spanish words Melanie learns, I found myself saying some of the words aloud and learning quite a few things along the way. An appendix of all the foreign words Ms. Weston used would have been an added benefit to the book. With Love From Spain, Melanie Martin will make you want to take your kids on a European adventure of your own, no matter where you live in the world! The potential for this book is it's "that's me" value for Tweeners making the transition beyond being big kids.

This was overall a pretty good book, but what bugs me is that in almost evary super special, the girls fall in love. They're a little young to be doing that. But I was really impressed by how good the BSCers were with the kids in the bus accident. They talked to them, comforted them and even agreed to bunk with them. I've always thought Kristy was too competitive and a whiney, snobby brat and the 'winter war' proves it. It seems as though she just has to win EVERYTHING! And, okay, so Dawn was born and raised in California, so of course she'd be bad at the winter sports. The kids were wrong to ridicule her. This is a pretty good book, but it will make youi frustrated in some parts.

Did your school ever take a field trip to Vermont in the winter? Stoneybrook Middle School has. In this book, there are many problems. One of them is that Kristy and Claudia are being really competitive and mean to each other. They get more competitive each day. At the end of the book, they forgive each other. The conflict is best friend vs. best friend.

There are many characters in this book- all girls. And they are trying to help their team win the Winter War. (a field day)
Dawn is having trouble with her skills. She has long, pale blonde hair and blue eyes. Kristy has shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes and is short for her age. She is also the captain of her team for the Winter War. Mary-Anne has really short blonde hair, brown eyes, and is also short for her age. She is also writing a report about the trip. Claudia has long, jet black hair, brown almond shaped eyes, and is Japanese-American. Stacey has curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and has diabetes. When she goes skiing, she has some boy problems.

This book tells how five girls fight, forgive, and have fun. The author's message is to be competitive but, have fun. I rate this book a five star because Ann M. Martin writes chapters from different character's points of view.

I loved this book, and have read it alot, but the only thing I think is that Jessi should get over herself! Its annoying because she thinks Pinky (who is about SIX) is predjuduced, just because she's being mean to her. I mean, come on! I didn't like that bit because it is really annoying how she thinks anyone who does anything that isnt nice is treating her like that because she's black. I don't think that was especially true. But basically it was a good book. Claudia and Stacey both fall head over heals with french skiers, the only thing is- Claudia's "guy" is married! Kristy is captain of the Red team, and gets to competitive. Meanwhile, a whole busload of kids have been stranded in the snow, and the BSC decided to take them on. It was a good book!

This was a really good super special. A good job you're doing,Ms. Martin, and keep up the good work!

The Baby-Sitters Club aregoing on a school field trip. When they arrive on the bus, a terrible thing happens. The bus crashes but luckily no one was hurt.

Meanwhile, the Baby-Sitters are having a blast! What kind of vacation did they exactly have? Read this book and find out!

The Baby Sitters are going to a winter vacation. Dawn is having troubles with skating. Kristy is helping her team win the Winter War. Mary Anne uncovers a ghost in the lodge.

This is an excellent book for summer reading. We checked out a libray copy and renewed it all summer long. This is definitely one to add to the home collection.

Fun rhyming beach book for the young and young at heart! Sweet illustrations and a story line that takes you right through a cherished day at the beach. Reminds you of happy beach memories or helps the young anticipate their next trip to the beach!

Don't forget to pack this book when you head to the beach. The illustrations are beautiful and the sing songy text will lull little ones like the waves do grown-ups. Enjoy! It's our favorite beach book!

My 2.5 year old daughter and 6 year old son loved the book for our summers here at Lake Tahoe!

This book is as much fun to read when your front yard is covered with snowdrifts as it is when the temperature is soaring! I began borrowing this book from the library in mid-December when my daughter was 2 1/2. Since then we have reached the renewal limit on this book a number of times. It is always a pleasure to find a children's book whose illustrations and text are equally appealing as happens in Beach Day. Maggie Smith's delightful, detailed watercolors will capture your child's imagination and inspire them to look at the book over and over. Karen Roosa's poetic text captures the essence of a day at the beach with lines such as "Waves roar, rush and soar, rolling crashing to the shore" and "Noon light, shimmers bright, in the distance, hot and white". I knew I needed to buy my own copy when I heard my daughter (now 3) reciting verses from Beach Day while playing in her swimming pool. This book is a must-have for any child's library.

This book was a nice combination of serious and fun. My favorite line was "'Plan your lunch snacks accordingly,' she concluded, giving the cinnamon roll ladies a sharp look."

Imagine my surprise, too, when Maddie and her friends joined the Iron Mountain Mine Tour. My grandmother was born in Iron Mountain in 1891. It's a small world and this book captures many of life's common joys and challenges.

The Dream Catcher Tour is a novel following a group of forty-seven women on an economical, no-frills tour bus excursion around the Great Lakes. As they take in the sights and sounds, they also trade favorite memories with one another. A leisurely delight brimming with female camaraderie, The Dream Catcher Tour glides gently along as it presents moments of interrelated insight, and makes for gentle, fun-loving leisure reading, bit by bit or cover to cover. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (11/07)

Buckle your seatbelts; you are in for an adventure you won't soon forget! Welcome aboard the Northern Experience Tours! You will be traveling with 46 other women on a trip around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. You are certain to meet some of the most interesting people you have ever met and perhaps you will make some new friends along the way. Emily is our tour guide and she wants to spend some time with each individual tour group member and be certain that they have a good time.

Of course, when you have this many different people from so many different walks of life, you are sure of having many life stories. As the group travels from one location to another, another person is spending time with Emily and sharing their life stories. From one city to another, you are able to enjoy the sites and unique characteristics of each locale. Some of the tourists' attractions are as follows: Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks bordering Canada, Munising, Houghton and Crystal Falls.

Paula Buermele has done an excellent job in providing a great storyline and travel book all in one. Through the pages of the book, you will feel like you are right there on the bus and getting to know these people that you are traveling with. Through descriptive paragraphs you will feel like you are seeing these places with your own eyes. I certainly hope that Paula Buermele writes more books. I loved "The Dream Catcher Tour" and would definitely like to read more of her work.

Paula Buermele's The Dream Catcher Tours provides her readers with a peek into the lives of forty-seven women who together embark on a bus tour of the Great Lakes with Northern Experience Tours.

What ensues is a potent collection of stories reflecting Buermele's affirmation that she is an attentive student in the classroom of life. Buermele moves effortlessly from one voice to another as her characters relate a variety of tidbits about their lives, some painful while others humorous. However, as one of the women remarks, "during the early days of the trip her companions had all seemed much the same, but with each passing day she had come to see the uniqueness of each woman."

These accounts also reaffirm an old adage, that no matter where people find themselves, they can't help reminiscing and revealing some of their family and psychological baggage that echo the past and at times consume the present. The stories range freely, some sounding familiar while others stirring up sad emotions, as is the case with Leslie who is traveling with her late husband's Aunt Helen. Leslie recounts how she lost her college sweetheart and young husband Steve who had suffered a brain aneurysm shortly after they were married. We also learn that she had lost her parents at a very young age and it was her adopted Aunt Helen who took her under her wing and has been her mentor

Then there is the familiar tale of Marianne, a wife and mother, who subjugated her own choices for those of her family and as she states, perhaps this trip will bring out the hidden Marianne. And Donna, the future mother-in-law, who is not exactly overjoyed with her son's choice of a wife. Barb, a divorcee, who after thirty-two years of marriage believed that the trip would mean a step into the world of self-determination and an escape from a controlling ex-husband who had left her for a trophy wife. Ruthie, who had visited her father in the hospital on her eighth birthday, recounts how she was pleasantly surprised when the Catholic nuns wheeled him in into the waiting room to wish her a happy birthday and thus shattering her stereotype of the "mean" nuns.

Buermele can clearly write and her storytelling is extremely perceptive, demanding quick concentration into the lives of her characters. However, at times in truth I did feel cheated, as some of the stories were underdeveloped and I would have liked to be better acquainted with the raconteurs. In the end though, these stories leave us with something to ponder; the uncertainty of life, the meaning of home and family, and what makes us all tick, for in all of us there is a story to be told.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

I really enjoyed reading The Dream Catcher Tour. While it is a work of fiction, I appreciate the fact that the characters are based on real stories and accounts. The author does a fantastic job of telling this story in a way that makes the reader identify with the women and their personal journeys. The conversations are so real and honest.

I went on many trips to the U.P. when I was young and while some of the sites are familiar to me, there are many I haven't seen. This book has inspired me to one day go back and visit the places mentioned. I would love to visit Pictured Rocks and photograph as Leslie does in the 'Peace' chapter.

I have a therapy dog that goes to two elementary schools each week. She is a black lab that just looks like Sally. The students that read to her love the Sally books and just love the adventures Sally has. They also have my dog doing the adventures along with Sally. The books have been great getting the kids to read and because of this I have bought some of the books and donated them to the school library.

In this book Sally is a black lab who gets to go on vacation at the beach. This book is from Sally's point of view. She describes everything that she sees on her trip. The illustrations are very colorful and the dogs look just like labs I know. One of the coolest illustrations is of the island that Sally goes to, it is shaped just like a black lab. The sentences are simple and it would be a good book for young children in grades k-2.

I read this to kids from pre-school to 3rd grade. Not only does this book have beautiful pictures and lyrical language, but it lends itself to greater intelligent discussions. Kids yearn to talk about the various forms of transportation Sally takes, if it's really Sally driving that car, why dogs need friends too, and how much fun it is to be curious. Soon, after we reread the entire Sally series a couple more times, we are going to make our own book about when Sally comes to OUR classrooms. I know the style of Sally's story will translate to the kids' understanding about what's great about the environment they live in!

My daughter always asks for this one. Simple text, brightly colored pictures, and doggies!

We see things from Sally's perspective- the story told with humor and wonderful pictures. My 3 year old granddaughter and I hope Sally goes to a lot more places- the beach, mountains and farm could be just the start.

After reading one of the reviews on this site about cost and outdated calendars, I was a little hesitant in purchasing this travel planner. But I went ahead and bought it anyways, and I'm sure glad I did! I found this planner to be extremely useful to me and intend on using another for my next trip! I also found the price to be very fair and contained current calendars for this year and the next.

This is a complete and compact travel journal, loaded with travel tips, space for recording absolutely everything, great packing lists for all kinds of trips. What I didn't like was the out-dated calendars (1999 and 2000) on the inside front and back covers--some help that is. I purchased four journals at once, all different, to use as gifts. This was the most expensive, and I probably would have returned it except that our trip is less than 2 weeks away!

This year, I used a personalized travel organizer to attend my grandmother's 100th birthday, and it has become a keepsake! I kept notes on family history that I never had before, recorded contact information for family members I'd lost touch with, and the cover photo of my family not only turned out better than the original picture, it completes the memories of a special event in my life."

I haven't kept a travel journal before and I found it very useful in helping to remember things. Each day was so full of activity that they tended to blur into one great trip, so the book helps to tie down certain events to specific days and locations. It will be especially helpful to me when I finally get around to writing my article on the trip. I have two overseas speaking engagements this year to give a slide presentations and talks on the visit to aquarium societies, so the book will also be useful in compiling notes for the talks.

Not only did it help us to not forget anything, it cued us to bring things we hadn't thought of! The chore of making plans and putting checklists together before a trip is not something I enjoy. This organizer does most of that for you; you just have to fill in the pertinent information. Besides, having the custom picture of my Grandfather's dairy farm on the front put a smile on my face and warmed my heart throughout the entire planning process! I also loved being able to capture our trip in the journal; what a great idea! I'm ordering another one for our Walt Disney World trip in the Fall! I can't wait to see it!

This book is about two guys who decide to take a "cheap" vacation and swim the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It's a good read and a lot of fun.

An enthralling, sometimes humorous read of the Canyon's rapids before Powell Dam was built.

This is the first person account of the only swimming trip that went the length of the Grand Canyon. In 1955 two young men , Bill Beers and John Daggett, enbarked on this one of a kind adventure. These guys to do not come across as thrill seekers but a couple of young men seeking high adventure. It is a fast, exciting read. It brings the Canyon and all it's glory to life.

This was a fun quick read that anybody who has been down the Grand Canyon or has an interest in must read for themselves. I hope to see additional photos and the TV production of this trip.

This account of a unique 1950's trip down the Grand Canyon is highly entertaining, especially because the whole thing seems like such a bad idea. Beers and his friend's equipment & preparation were laughable, and they had no escape plan or backup. But they plunge into the Colorado River (pre-Glen Canyon Dam, even), validate every stereotype about 50's American optimism/naivety, and somehow don't die. Beers' writing is not fancy, but the unaffected prose is well-matched to detailing the no-frills style of his incredible boatless river run.
I enjoyed this book a lot, and admired the author's courage at least as often as I laughed out loud at his actions.

I was lucky enough to have Mr. Marcum as a 5th grade teacher as well, in 1996. He was a great teacher and a great writer. He would read us this book a lot and gave us valid input with it - he made sure kids were going to like it! It was written for, edited by, and inspired by kids.

I also had Mr. Marcum as a teacher in 2002. I read this book three time while i was in the class, and brought chapters home for my dad to read and he loved it. I think ths could easily be the best book I have ever read. I read the complete version before it was published, so i hope they have not edited out some of the best parts. Go buy this book or order it here, you won't regret it.

Memories of my childhood flooded back as I read this wonderful book. Lance Marcum has written a book that kids of all ages can enjoy. His main character's (Mitch Valentine) first person account of his summertime adventures is pure kid fun from start to finish! Although "The Cottonmouth Club" is a real "page turner", it took me longer than expected to read due to my LOL fits, which erupted with nearly every page! Girls and boys, men and women, this book has something for everyone, and to top it off teaches some valuable life lessons. Read it, you'll love it.

I was also blessed to have Mr. Marcum as a 6th grade teacher back in 2002. For a couple weeks, he read his book to us for an hour each day. After he was done, I was absolutely amazed by the time and effort he had put into it; and it shows. He even brought in his drafts to show us how much time and effort was involved...it consisted of 4 boxes stacked to the top filled with pages marked with red writing. This book is a piece of art. A kids book, a teenagers book, an adult book, this book is entertaining and humerous for anyone who reads it. Honestly the best book I have ever read... would make a very good movie.

THE BEST BOOK EVER GET IT OR YOU WILL BE SAD YOU DID NOT GET IT SO GET IT BEST AUTHOR EVER NO JOKE

This guide with its inviting cover arrived on my birthday in January, a present from my wife who had been wanting to visit Hawaii for years. We planned every aspect of our vacation with it and are glad we did. These authors are a rare combination of experienced travel writers and athletes so you get to the heart and soul of the island from the ground up. All the practical information inside paid off when we made our reservations and being able to review each island and compare, compare, compare made it a cinch to plan our itinerary.

The No Worries doesn't just stick to the places tourists congregate. Instead it draws on all the islands and completely circles each. If you want a thorough education on what Hawaii is all about or a complete photo tour, you'll find both inside.

Maui Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Paddle, Surf, Drive
Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to hike, snorkel, surf, bike, drive

In my work at Guide to Travel Guides, we concentrate on finding excellent travel books from smaller publishers, books that travelers may not yet be familiar with. No Worries Hawaii, newly published in late 2007, is just such a book. Really a travel planning guide without peer. Its 160 pages are fabulous stuff, chocked full of helpful information and some of the loveliest color photos around. If you play ball with the Sprouts, they'll help you zero in on the greatest island vacation you've ever had. The Sprouts are veterans of the Hawaii guidebook scene. Their deservedly much-praised Trailblazer series includes four titles on the islands of Hawaii: Kauai Trailblazer, Maui Trailblazer, Oahu Trailblazer, and Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer, all of which focus on outdoor activities of every kind: walks, hikes, bicycle rides, snorkeling, driving tours and on and on. In No Worries Hawaii they use their expertise to help you decide the type of vacation you want, the setting you want, the activities you value most, and where best to find them. Moving from an armchair voyage in which you envision and clarify your wants and needs to a clever, simple self-test to help you prioritize your wish list, No Worries Hawaii then relates all this homework you've done to a highly detailed, 36-category Best of Hawaii section. If you spend the time, the system really works. If you are too lazy, just focusing on the Best of Hawaii section, plus a good look at the Best of Hawaii scoreboard to see which island ranks highest for your needs will take you a long way toward paradise. Practical information abounds, with lots of money saving advice and a wonderfully detailed "Wiki Wiki Phonebook" for all the contact information you'll ever need. This is one great travel planning guide--if only other travel destinations had something this good.

This book is the most informative book I have ever had or read. It would be nice if every destination had a book like this. I'm so impressed with the self-test that helps a person decide which island(s) one should stay at and visit. It is packed with info indetail.

I was also impressed with the price and fast shipping! Highly recommend it!

This guide is the Real Deal and presents a Hawaiian Big Picture. I like to read travel guides and always put lots of time into choosing our destination. I'm the take charge one in the family and find it always pays to plan ahead.

For Hawaii, I have to say this guidebook is at the top of my list for realistic answers to absolutely everything about every island. I was most impressed with the Best Of Hawaii section which categorizes all the choice locations on each island according to activities. Time after time it served as an indispensable checklist while we were out and about.

The author's energetic writing style and sense of humor made the text upbeat and fun.

I highly recommending following up by buying their Maui Trailblazer and Kauai Trailblazer books which go into more site detail with history and driving directions.

We've been to the islands twice and since our visits were short only touched the surface. We bought this book to delve deeper and decide which two for September 2008. This guide is a tool, a resource, a dreamy wishbook for planning daily adventures. We go because we love the perfect temperature and can swim everyday. No Worries has provided new ideas and booking tips we never thought to ask. The locations for the Best this and that are endless. Plenty of photos of every island will get you going.