Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii

I wish this series had been available when I was still teaching third grade. It would have been wildly popular among both the boys and the girls! I find myself thinking, as I read, how it could be used in the classroom. It (almost) makes me wish I was not retired.

On a trip to Hawaii, twin explorers Gannon and Wyatt get a once-in-a-lifetime experience exploring the islands.

After the boys attempt to rescue a drowning man in the ocean, they are handed a map -- which holds hidden secrets about ancient burial grounds... and with it, there's a new quest for Gannon and Wyatt! From snow-filled mountains, to the tropical beaches, Hawaii is turning out to be quite different than the twins expected.

What I liked? Even as an adult reader, I found myself discovering interesting tidbits about Hawaii, its heritage, and culture. It's an adventure that includes cool facts about history and geography, so you're actually learning as you read. I like the idea that these boys are homeschooled, and have the opportunity to travel the world with their parents and experience many kinds of cultures. (These boys are going to be well-rounded adults one day!)

I think boys and girls will love this book and the whole series. It's fun to read, and parents will approve of the "education" one can glean from the pages of each book.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the free review copy & for the opportunity to express my honest opinions.

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii by Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet is an adventure and mystery book for middle school students that also passes on some great information about Hawaii in a very fun way. Young Explorers Wyatt and Gannon accompany their parents, Mom who is a Flight Attendant and Father who is an Artist, on a trip to the Hawaii. While they are there, they are keeping journals to document their trip as part of the Young Explorers. They soon team up with a fellow explore and Hawaiian native Alana Aukai to explore the island. When they rescue a drowning archeologist, they find a map that might lead them to the ancient burial place of Kamehameha the Great. However, they are not the only ones looking for the burial site. Following the clues and avoiding danger they explore the island trying to solve the mystery.
Interspersed within the story are many facts about the origins of the Hawaiian Islands, folklore and myths along with the history of the Islands. Beautiful descriptions of the plants and locations are also incorporated within the story as well as the natives’ love for nature and their culture.
This book is a great way for a reader to learn more about another place and culture disguised as an adventure and mystery. Since this book is one of a series, I would think the other books, along with this one would make an excellent addition to a library, either at home or at school.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and The Greenleaf Group in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I find Travels with Gannon and Wyatt to be very interesting books for the middle school age group. Gannon and Wyatt are in Hawaii this time learning and documenting in their journals. Their first trek is to Mauna Kea where they are caught in a blizzard. One of the interesting facts you will learn is the Big Island contains four of the earth's five major climate zones.

The boys meet up with Alana Aukai a member of the Youth Exploration Society in Hawaii. She guides them around the Big Island where they get involved in the search for the bones of King Kamehameha.

As always with this series, there are links to many beautiful pictures and the Youth Exploration Society. They even have a Facebook page!

A great series for adventurous boys and girls.

I received this ebook from NetGalley for an honest review.