Recommended Reading

Hi Friends,

Summer break is here at last.  It’s time to load up the whole family and get on that vacation road trip.  Road trips in the past were listening to the radio until you lost the channel.  Then you would have to search for the next channel with the right music.  In the past, everyone in the car was forced to listen to the same thing.  Now days, each person in the car might have their own electronic device and headphones.  Although this makes for a quiet ride, it limits the connection that was associated with road trips of the past.   

This summer, bring the connection back to the road trip by selecting a few family friendly audio books that everyone can enjoy.  Don’t forget to download them if you will be traveling in areas with limited service.  Nothing put the mood down like dropped coverage.

Audio books are a great way to engage the whole family in reading.  They also help struggling readers by improving exposure to vocabulary, themes, figurative language and other more complex language arts. Audio books provide a great equalizer for families with multiple reading levels to experience the same book together.  It’s also a great way to sneak in some classics while the kids are stuck in the car! I am looking forward to beating the heat with a summer full of good books!  

This post shares with you some great audio book resources for your summer vacation car trip.  Book images in this post include amazon affiliate links and ads.  I may receive commission from clicks or purchases from the site links.  Clicking on the book image will open a new tab for shopping books from this list.  The book images also provide a reference for library or independent bookstore browsing. 

Here are 10 recommended audio books for your next family road trip.      

• Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary  

The light hearted story of Ramona and the trials of being a little sister.  This book is a great way to start your road trip with an easy listen. This book listening time is approximately two hours. 

• The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

Mr. Fox is in a hard place.  He has had a bad time at work and could really use a vacation.  But work has him trapped at his desk.  He is not worried.  He will develop an amazing project plan that will save the day.  Hopefully then he will get a break.   This book listening time is approximately one hour.

• Babe, The Sheep Pig by Dick King-Smith

Babe the piglet goes to live on Farmer Hoggett’s farm.  He’s fate seems to be sealed from the beginning. However, this special pig makes friends with all the farm animals and finds a special job for himself that might turn the tides of fate.  This book listening time is approximately two hours. 

• The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame

The Reluctant Dragon is a beautiful story of communication. In this story a little boy has the wits about him to bring diplomatic peace to the region by building relationships. This small boy develops a scheme to avoid war and bloodshed by communicating and learning the thoughts and needs of the arguing parties, and a good time was had by all.  This book listening time is approximately one hour.

• Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

This book is the first in the series by Judy Blume featuring the Hatcher family.  Peter has put up with his little brother Fudge for far too long.  It’s like he feels trapped in a car on a long road trip with his family.  This one is for the older siblings that can relate to all the trials of being the oldest.  This book listening time is approximately two and a half hours.

• Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

The story of a little boy and his dream of owning a dog.  If you happen to be driving through some back country roads the scenery may be a perfect backdrop for this book.  Marty learns some hard lessons in this tale on the way to accomplishing his dream.  This book listening time is approximately three hours.

• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

Going on a beach or sailing adventure? Try The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis.  This book is the fifth book in the Cornicles of Narnia series. It features two of the youngest Pevensie children, Edmund and Lucy, and a cousin as they travel farther than any other has ever ventured in the land of Narnia.  This book listening time is approximately six hours.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Can new places provide healing for past disappointments? In this classic tale, young Mary finds herself in a strange and distant land.  Unsure of her new surroundings she begins to explore a place left behind by people and time.  Vowing to make the best of her current situation she learns of a secret garden and the treasures it holds.  This book listening time is approximately eight hours.

• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

A classic story of perseverance in the face of adversity Hatchet by Gary Paulsen has been a favorite for decades.  This book includes some descriptions that may be challenging to some sensitive young readers. If you are traveling with boys that like scary and wild adventures, this is a great book.  This book listening time is approximately three and a half hours.

• The Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O’ Dell

The Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O’Dell follows the story of a girl living alone on a remote island.  Similar to Hatchet she faces the challenges of nature along with the joy and beauty.  This book also includes some descriptions that may be challenging to some sensitive young readers. If you are traveling with some spirited adventures this is a great book.  This book listening time is approximately four hours.