Ah, those crazy, lazy, hazy days of summer. The perfect time to spend some family vacation time together. If you’re lucky enough to be taking a trip this summer, across town, across the country or even across an ocean, we've gathered up some terrific books that will make getting to your destination plenty of fun. You'll find books on maps, different kinds of transportation, cool destinations, and, of course, fun things to do while you're en route to your vacation spot.

Trust us --- whether you're hitting the open road in the family car, or traveling by plane, train or bus, books (and audiobooks) make the perfect companions. Take along some of these titles and watch the miles and hours fly by. And don't forget about our Audiobooks feature, where you'll find some wonderful books to listen to. Bon voyage!

   --- Shannon Maughan

DOWN THE YUKON
by Will Hobbs
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0688174728
Ages 10-up
192 pages

In this sequel to JASON'S GOLD, 16-year-old Jason Hawthorn knows that his best chance of making a future for himself lies in Nome, Alaska, where the latest gold has been discovered. It's the temptation of finding that fortune --- and being the first to do it --- that lands Jason in a contest with a $20,000 cash prize. If Jason makes it to Nome ahead of anyone else, he wins. His friend (who may turn out to be his girlfriend) Jamie and his dog Burnt Paw accompany him on a wild trek to Alaska that's filled with danger, adventure and a bit of romance. Don't miss this exciting trip.

LET'S GO TO THE BEACH: A History of Sun and Fun by the Sea
by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
Henry Holt
ISBN: 0805062351
Ages 9-15
144 pages

Van Steenwyck serves up black-and-white historic photos along with her engaging text, which covers everything from the stormy invention of salt water taffy to a look at swim suit fashions through the years. Stories of the seashore's healing powers and the popularity of resort areas and boardwalks are all part of this fun read. See if your vacation spot is mentioned here.

AROUND THE WORLD: A Spin-tacular Game Book
by Lara Bergen
illustrated by Mel Grant
PubliSimon Spotlightsher
ISBN: 0689843178
                      Ages 6-10

Fans of the Wild Thornberrys know that the Thornberrys are always on the road, so they know a thing or two about travel and adventure (as well as observing nature). This neat-o book contains six games that will test your skills to see how you compare to your favorite animated characters. Try your hand at these activities to measure your talents at role-playing, observation, geography, and more.

GHOST TOWNS OF THE AMERICAN WEST
by Raymond Bial
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0618065571
Ages 8-12
48 pages

Did you know that there are over 30,000 deserted towns in the U.S.? Bial went exploring some of them and shares his discoveries (and photos) in this book. He provides information on what drew people to towns like Tombstone and Gregory's Diggings and ultimately, what made people leave. Perhaps you'll pass one of thes sites during your family's summer trip.

SPIN A SPORT
by Hank Herman
illustrated by Mark Chickinelli
Innovative Kids
ISBN: 158476063X
Ages 6-10

In this new title in the Select a Story line, you can use the spinner to choose from six action packed stories. Whether you like basketball, tennis, soccer, swimming or another sport, you're sure to find something you like here. Activities and games are included, too.

MY VACATION PLACE: A Memory Book
by Jane Drake and Ann Love
illustrated by Heather Collinssss
Kids Can
ISBN: 1550749714
Ages 6-up
128 pages

Maybe your family travels to the same vacation spot every year. This book offers you a chance to collect your memories about the place, using drawings, keepsakes and words --- any way you like. Topics to inspire you include nature/weather, outdoor activities, and friends.

STUCK ON THE U.S.A.: Fascinating Facts About the 50 States
by Gus Alavezos
Grosset & Dunlap
ISBN: 0448424843
Ages 6-12

This nifty trivia book includes eye-opening information on each state as well as a sturdy folder to collect and display the 50 new Statehood Quarters (5 new designs are released each year).

THE AMAZING 50 STATE MAZE BOOK
by Scott Sullivan
Price, Stern, Sloan
ISBN: 0843176563
All ages

Tease your brain with these detailed mazes, one in the shape of each state. Puzzle fans rejoice! The key cities and capitals are also marked on each maze, so you'll learn while you play.

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD: 10 Buildings People Loved to Hate
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Holiday House
ISBN: 0823414353
Ages 8-12
96 pages

Believe it or not, some of the most famous buildings in the world were not always welcomed by their communities. This book describes how initial opposition to such structures as the Washington Monument, the Eiffel Tower, and Philip Johnson's Glass House eventually turned into appreciation.

THE JOURNEY
by Sarah Stewart
illustrated by David Small
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
ISBN: 0374339058
All ages
40 pages

ALICE RAMSEY'S GRAND ADVENTURE
by Don Brown
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0618073167
32 pages

Don Brown tells the tale of Alice Ramsey, the 22-year-old who, in 1909, decided to be the first woman to travel by car across the United States. With her friend and two sisters-in-law in tow, she crossed prairies and railroad tracks, gravel hills and pig-clogged roads, and arrived in San Francisco triumphant. Modern-day travelers will marvel at her strength and her ability to navigate using only the slimmest of directions.

THE AMAZING BACKSEAT BOOK-A-MA-THING
by Kevin Plottner
Klutz Press
ISBN: 1570541698
Ages 5-up
18 pages

It’s a book! It’s a toy! It’s both! This spiral-bound book features pages with slots in them so you can have penny and dime races, a magic writer board where you can play hangman and tic-tac-toe, ideas for stories and word games and "body games" like fingernail races, and backrub rhymes. There’s even a backseat baseball game with pinball machine action.

ARE WE THERE YET?
by Karen Richards
illustrated by Steven MacH
Rand McNally
ISBN: 0528838172
Ages 5-up
64 pages

This book is chock full of crossword puzzles, matching games, word scrambles and games like "While-You-Wait-Bingo" and "Make Me Laugh."

AROUND THE WORLD: Who's Been Here?
by Lindsay Barrett George
Greenwillow
ISBN: 0688152686
Ages 5-up
40 pages

To learn more about animals and their habitats, Miss Lewis takes a round-the-world trip aboard the ship Explorer. At every port she takes photos and writes letters back to her class, telling them all about the exciting countries and the creatures that live there.

BABY-SITTERS' EUROPEAN VACATION (The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #15)
by Ann M. Martin
Scholastic
ISBN: 0590060007
Ages 8-12

Club members Kristy, Abby, Mal, Jessi and Stacey travel to beautiful Paris and London. But no baby-sitters' trip would be complete without some adventurous detours. Packaged with three friendship rings.

BRAIN QUEST BE A KNOW-IT-ALL!: Geography
by Elspeth Leacock
Workman
ISBN: 076110805X
Ages 8-up
150 pages

These handy quiz cards are fun and informative. Two decks of 72 cards each are held together with a plastic bolt --- perfect for flipping. Set up a competition or ask yourself 1000 questions in seven different categories. You'll discover all kinds of tidbits about cities, natural resources, climate, customs and more.

BRAIN QUEST EXTRA: For the Car
by Sharon Gold
Workman
ISBN: 0761100164
Ages 8-up
148 pages

How much do you know about the great U.S. of A.? Find out in this colorful pack of quiz cards about America's history, geography, and famous places. A scorepad and pencil are included.

CELEBRATE THE 50 STATES!
by Loreen Leedy
Holiday House
ISBN: 0823416313

Loreen Leedy's wonderful illustrations accompany fun facts and basic info. For each state, Leedy includes a map, notable places, state birds and flowers, and more.

DINO-TREKKING: The Ultimate Dinosaur Lover's Travel Guide
by Kelly Milner Halls
John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0471114987
Ages 8-up

This unusual travel guide will take you and your family off the beaten path. Discover great dinosaur museums and public dinosaur sites throughout the U.S. A helpful resource directory tells you where you can order all sorts of dinosaur products, too.

THE FAMILY CAR SONGBOOK: Hundred of Miles of Fun!
by Michael Gelen
Running Press
ISBN: 0762402717
                      All ages
                      80 pages

This book promises "hundreds of miles of fun," and includes the words and musical scores to more than 30 favorite songs. Everyone in the car will be singing along in no time to such gems as "Oh, Susanna!" "She’ll Be Comin’ ‘round the Mountain," "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and "My Darling Clementine."

FARAWAY SUMMER
by Johanna Hurwitz
illustrated by Mary Azarian
Avon
ISBN: 0380732564
Ages 8-up
156 pages

The year is 1910 and young Dossi has the opportunity to leave her family’s sweltering New York City apartment and spend two weeks on a family farm in Jericho, Vermont, courtesy of the Fresh Air Fund organization. You’ll feel like you took the trip, too, as you read Dossi’s journal about her discoveries and adventures. And guess what? In 1998, the Fresh Air Fund is still going strong, sending city kids on vacations to the country and to camps.

FUN ON THE RUN: Travel Games and Songs
by Joanna Cole and Stephanie Calmenson
illustrated by Alan Tiegreen
Beech Tree
ISBN: 0688146627
Ages 4-up
144 pages

Riddles, songs, license plate games, memory games and writing games are among the fun things you'll find in this jam-packed book, perfect for a long trip.

GLOBETROTTING GAMES
illustrated by Steven MacH
Rand McNally
ISBN: 0528838660
Ages 8-up

A poster-size world map, capital city word search, and wacky secret codes are all part of the backseat fun to be had in this book.

GLOVE COMPARTMENT SCIENCE
by Klutz Press
Klutz Press
ISBN: 1570543852

The San Francisco Exploratorium chipped in to help Klutz come up with these experiments, sure to ward off boredom on long car trips. As Klutz puts it, these activities and magic tricks can be done as kids "witness a flash-by of high-speed physical phenomena through the tempered-glass observation portholes of a steel-shelled, gasoline-powered vehicle."

HOW TO FIND LOST TREASURE IN ALL FIFTY STATES: And Canada Too!
by Joan Holub
Aladdin Paperbacks
ISBN: 0689826435
Ages 8-12
160 pages

This book tells you how and where to find real treasure lost or left behind by soldiers, pirates, miners, pioneers and all kinds of other people. Really! From sunken treasure in the Great Lakes, to coins that wash up on Florida beaches, you'll see where $300 billion of booty can be found.

THE HUNTED (National Parks Mysteries)
by Gloria Skurzynski and Alane Ferguson
National Geographic Society
ISBN: 0792270533
Ages 8-12
160 pages

Jack and Ashley Landon become tangled in an exciting mystery at Glacier National Park in Montana. They have come to the park with their parents to help figure out why grizzly cubs are disappearing. But encounters with an angry Mama grizzly and other surprises make this a thrilling adventure.

THE KIDS' BOOK OF THE 50 GREAT STATES: A State-By-State Scrapbook Filled With Facts, Maps, Puzzles, Poems, Photos, and More!
by Written by Kids
Scholastic
ISBN: 0590996215
Ages 8-up
216 pages

Kids like you from all 50 states contributed to this collection. On this cross-country tour you'll find fun facts, photos of landmarks, jokes, maps and tons of other fun stuff, written by the kids who know it best.

KIDS' LONDON
by Simon Adams
Publisher
ISBN: 0789452499
Ages 6-12
64 pages

ust like the guide to New York City, this guide to one of Europe's great cities is brimming with great full-color photos and the crisp look of Dorling Kindersley (Eyewitness) books. It describes all the coolest places to go --- museums, landmarks, shops, cafes. The book also includes fun facts and a list of top 10 sights to see.

KIDS' NEW YORK
by Christopher Maynard
DK
ISBN: 0789452480
Ages 6-12
64 pages

This guide book is brimming with great full-color photos and the crisp look of Dorling Kindersley (Eyewitness) books. It describes all the coolest places to go --- museums, sights, shops, cafes. The book also includes quizzes, fun facts and top 10 lists.

MAGNETIC TRAVEL FUN
by Jess Brallier
Planet Dexter
ISBN: 0448440865
Ages 9-12
48 pages

This book includes 20 classic board games, and instructions and magnetic, punch-out pieces for each. Checkers, Solitaire, Bingo, Mancala, and Tic Tac Toe are all part of the fun.

MATH MANIA (Travel Books to Go)
by Ann Braybrooks
illustrated by Shari Warren
Price Stern Sloan
ISBN: 0843178345
Ages 7-up
48 pages

What's the equation for fun? It might just be this clever book full of number quizzes, logic problems and other cool ways to play with math.

SPOTTER'S GUIDE TO THE COOLEST CARS ON THE ROAD
by Klutz Press
Klutz Press
ISBN: 1570544166
Ages 4-up

This nifty, laminated guide features a checklist of cool cars to look for on the road: sports cars, muscle cars and even cars that movie character James Bond drives.

TALE ENDS: (Travel Books to Go)
by Leslie McGuire
illustrated by Sharon Kitazawa
Price Stern Sloan
ISBN: 0843178337
Ages 6-up

A collection of silly story-starters and funny line drawings will have you making up terrific tales in no time. Entertain the whole family with your wild imagination.

TRIP TRACKER
by Rand McNally
Publisher
ISBN: 0528838431
Ages 8-up

Part travel journal, part gamebook, this cool spiral-bound title has a vinyl case filled with markers, stencils and lanyard cord, and a velcro flap to keep everything inside. Fill-in-the-blank stories, a calendar, space for postcards and photos, and a U.S. Map with stickers will help you make a colorful vacation scrapbook.

WISH YOU WERE HERE: Emily's Guide to the 50 States
by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by Amy Schwartz
Bantam Books
ISBN: 038531146X
128 pages

Never fear: this guide is not boring fodder for school reports. Emily and her grandmother lead readers briskly and brightly through our 50 states. Each state gets two pages, and instead of learning yawn-inducing facts, we discover where malted milk was first made (Racine, Wisconsin), read goofy quotations, and look at interesting, accessible maps. Emily rides horses and milks cows, and her Grandma wears a series of state-appropriate hats.

WISH YOU WERE HERE (And I Wasn't): A Book of Poems and Pictures for Globe Trotters
by Colin McNaughton
Candlewick
ISBN: 076360271X
Ages 7-12
64 pages

This collection of travel poems is filled with silliness. From aliens on vacation, to getting carsick or being afraid to fly in an airplane, McNaughton covers all the fun and not-so-fun parts of going on a trip --- all with a smile.

WORLD EXPLORER ATLAS
by Martin Oliver
illustrated by Tim Hutchinson
DK
ISBN: 0789428113
Ages 7-up
32 pages

In this nifty atlas-cum-puzzle book, you'll follow Jack Tracker on a globe-trotting adventure. It's up to you to help Jack find the mysterious monster before Cynthia Sneaker does. The search lets you hopscotch the continents from North America to Asia to Africa to Europe. And at each stop there are sights to see --- including color photos of famous landmarks --and games to play. You'll discover plenty of fascinating facts about each country too, via Hutchinson's intricate and playful map illustrations.

TRAVELMATES: Fun Games Kids Can Play in the Car or on the Go
by Story Evans and Lise O'Haire
Crown
ISBN: 0517887606
Ages 2-up
                              96 pages

Play in the Car or on the Go-No Materials Needed This book contains more than 100 games to play in the car. The best part is no materials are required. All you need is your imagination --- and maybe a bit of competitive spirit! You won't want to leave home without it.

FAMILY FUN'S GAMES ON THE GO
by Lisa Stiepock
Hyperion
ISBN: 0786883405
All ages
90 pages

Family Fun magazine is famous for, well, its fun family activities. This book collects 150 games, activities, tips and recipes that are all appropriate for family travelers with kids of all ages. From picnic ideas (and menus) to a billboard memory game and zoo hunt, you're in for hours --- and miles --- of good times with this volume.

THE MYSTERIES OF HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (Invisible Image Coloring Book)
Scholastic
ISBN: 0439286158
Ages 7-up

Sorcerer's Stone (Invisible Image Coloring Book) The magic ink pen that comes packaged with this cool coloring book will help you reveal "invisible" images on the pages. Discover what awaits Harry and you in the halls of Hogwarts. Happy doodling!

SHREK MAD LIBS
by Roger Price and Leonard Stern
Price, Stern, Sloan
ISBN: 0843176989
Ages 7-up

Fill in the blanks for some laugh-out-loud fun in this latest collection of Mad Libs. You'll want to fire up your thinking cap to create hilarious stories about Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey and all the the other characters in the hit film.

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