Summer Road Trip! 5 More Middle Grade Books Set in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming

The Impossible Rescue, by Martin W. Sandler (Alaska)
There’s no shortage of books written about Alaska, but here’s something a little different from the usual Jack London and Gary Paulsen stories that’s geared toward younger readers. Martin W. Sandler’s The Impossible Rescue tells the true story of the historic rescue of 300 sailors trapped on the Arctic ice in the dead of winter. This astonishing adventure chronicles the journey of three rescuers as they travel across 1,500 miles of Alaskan terrain, facing everything from fierce blizzards to bitter cold during their daring rescue attempt. The story is told mostly through the journals of the rescuers themselves and includes photographs taken by one of the expedition members. A splendid story of survival, this book brings to life a little-known part of U.S. history as well as the perils of the Alaskan wilderness.

Katerina’s Wish, by Jeannie Mobley (Colorado)
This debut novel tells the tale of 13-year-old Katerina and her family, who move from Bohemia to Colorado in the hope of buying their own farm. Instead, they end up in a dreary coal-mining camp, where her father’s wages are barely enough for them to survive. Katerina sees a way out when she remembers an old folktale about a fish that granted an old couple three wishes. After she decides to make a wish for their family farm, she doesn’t rely on magic alone to help the family achieve its dream and soon learns the value of hard work and perservance in chasing your dreams. Using her diligent research on mining camps, author Jeannie Mobley creates a vivid world in this novel that young readers won’t want to leave.

Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech (Idaho)
If you’re hitting the road this summer, Walk Two Moons is an excellent choice to tuck into your child’s suitcase. Winner of the Newbery Medal, the book follows the story of 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle as she travels from Ohio to Idaho with her grandparents in the hope of bringing back her mother. Along the way, they stop at several tourist sites, including the Wisconsin Dells, Pipestone National Monument, South Dakota’s Badlands, Mount Rushmore and Old Faithful, before reaching their final destination in Idaho. This funny and touching novel deals with themes like love, life, death and grieving, providing insights into the very nature of human relationships—all in a story so engaging your child will want to read it again.

Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson (Montana)
Hattie Big Sky tells the story of 16-year-old orphan Hattie Brooks, who leaves her home in Iowa to chase her dream of improving her late Uncle Chester’s homestead claim in eastern Montana. This Newbery Honor Book is set in the early 1900s, so it’s not your typical pioneer family story, with covered wagons crossing over windswept prairies. Instead, Hattie must face the hardships of homesteading by herself including blistering blizzards and drought-ridden summers—all at a time when the country is divided by war. While the story doesn’t exactly have a fairytale ending, it does show the value of perseverance by following the story of this gutsy young woman who’s determined to make it on her own.

My Friend Flicka, by Mary O’Hara (Wyoming)
This classic story provides an inspirational account of a boy’s relationship with his horse as he learns to accept the responsibilities that come with growing older. Set on the family’s horse ranch in Wyoming, the story includes vivid descriptions of what makes life in Wyoming so unique—the wide open spaces, breathtaking scenery, and wonderful wildness. Against this backdrop, sensitive 10-year-old Ken McLaughlin attempts to tame Flicka, one of the ranch’s most unmanageable fillies, and in the process learns about his own capaibilties and grows in his relationship with his father. While this book will obviously appeal to readers who love horses, it’s an enjoyable read for anyone who likes a good story.
Where are you road tripping to this summer?