author’s website includes lots of photos (and a spoiler – how long the “one year” of traveling turns out to be)
Summary: Self-published travel memoir: a 14 year old girl’s account of being forced to leave her home in Canada to travel across China and Mongolia with her mother, brother and sister. Detailed account of backpacking lifestyle.
Personal Reaction: Scary, actually… I don’t have the backpackers’ sense of adventure to live this kind of life. I think a really good editor would made this book better, but it still works as a teen writer’s first book.
Any Cautions: Minor cursing
Curriculum or discussion topics: For any middle grade teacher working on a unit about Asia, this would be good as an extra-credit mention for students.
Connections to other books: The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, Gone with the Wind by Mitchell, The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien, travel guide books for China & Mongolia
Items to display with book: The website has several photos and maps you can display. Jade bracelet, water bottles, backpacks, boots, deck of playing cards, chop sticks, travel guide books for China & Mongolia
Food items connected to story: Lots and lots within the story. Dr. Pepper! You can go basic Chinese food (any rice and vegetables will do, green tea, yoghurt, banana pancakes) or interesting (chicken feet). It may be harder to get goat soup here in the states.
Movies of the Mind 