Book Review: Travels with Gannon and Wyatt

I feel so lucky to be a part of this Clever Girls Campaign.  Any one who knows Ryan and Evan, knows just how much they love to read.  Finding a new series that is age appropriate, and challenging enough is always a struggle, so finding The Travels with Gannon and Wyatt,  by Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet, is like a little gold mine.

We started reading the first book, Botswana, the moment the books arrived.  Ryan and Evan were immediately excited to find that Wyatt and Gannon are twins, just like they are.  As a Mom of twins, I loved that the boys described themselves as totally different personalities.  I have often supported and encouraged the differences in my boys as it can be very difficult to be a twin.  As fraternal twins, Ryan and Evan have it somewhat easier, they look different, but to always share a birthday, or to always have someone almost the same as you around all the time, it can be difficult. Gannon and Wyatt are both incredibly smart and creative, yet they are such individuals, what we all want for our kids.

Gannon and Wyatt bicker like twins, but also have a undeniable love for each other.  That love is evident when Wyatt gets sick. Gannon sits by his bedside, cares for him and is very stricken with worry. I love the dynamic between the boys, they tease, fight, but ultimately, they love.

On the back cover, the age range on these books states 9-12, which is appropriate.  There are intense themes, like Wyatt's illness, and the constant threat of death by wild animal, but they are managed in a manner that is not too frightening for my boys who are only 7. I read the books with the boys the first time, just to make sure there was nothing too scary for them. There has been nothing better than them coming to me with books in hand begging for me to read more Wyatt and Gannon.

While Wyatt and Gannon experience many scary things, poachers, tomb robbers and wild animals, I loved the way the authors addressed these issues.  Wyatt and Gannon are thoughtful and bright young men and their journal entries address conservation, protection of ancient artifacts and understanding of native cultures. While some of these topics are a bit intense, especially from my sheltered kids who watch minimal television and play zero video games, it does give us moments for frank discussion.  Because of the need to discuss some of these topics more in depth, I feel reading these books with younger kids is a must.

By far Botswana was our favorite, because the first one is always your favorite! But we thoroughly enjoyed the adventures in the Great Bear Rainforest (October, 2013) and Egypt (January, 2014) , and we look forward to continued adventures with Gannon and Wyatt.

One problem arising from these books?  Ryan and Evan really want to travel to Botswana, Canada and Egypt!

Check out the Travels with Gannon and Wyatt Facebook page, where they will be giving away three Kindle Fires! If traditional books are more your speed,  I will be giving away a copy of the three books to one lucky reader! Leave a comment and one randomly picked comment will be drawn on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 7PM Pacific.




I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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