A wonderful collaboration between father and son in the writing and in the story. I loved the combination of quirky characters picked up along the journey to the animal shelter, who become a family of caring individuals. "Atticus" the elder border collie's chapters are pithy and true to dog-dom. If you love dogs and a fast-paced, funny adventure, you'll love Road Trip. I look forward to reading the companion, Field Trip. Due to a few off-color references to sexuality and illicit behavior, I'd recommend this for middle school and up. ( )

Dogs never lie or cheat, and their default setting is love. Some may seem grumpy, but all dogs have honor, humor, and dignity, and if you're really lucky and you pay attention, they will bring out those same characteristics in you. - Auhtor's Note

The race was the most fun I've had all day. We should have run, of course, and not driven, but my boss doesn't run. Can't blame him; only two legs. - Atticus

Good thing that Gus is helping Theo and Mia. Someone's got to keep them straight, and they don't have me.
I heard him say that he raised everything on four legs on a farm.
Teenagers can't be that much different. - Atticus

Road Trip tells the story of Ben, his father and his dog Atticus who notices everything. They are on a road trip to rescue a Border Collie puppy. Ben's dad is a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy and it keeps Ben on his guard. On the road trip, they pick up Ben's friend Theo who is a bit of a thug, a grouchy (but lovable) mechanic - Gus, a big yellow school bus, and a feisty waitress who reads auras - Mia. They have an exciting adventure, along with a mystery because something is up with Theo.

This was a great middle grade book with likable characters on a fun adventure. Every other chapter is a one page look at what Atticus thinks about the situation. Atticus is a smart dog and very protective of his family. It is so cute to read what Atticus is thinking. The relationships between the characters seem very real. I love how Atticus is more observant than any of the others and how the road trip brings everyone closer together.

Recommended to:
Great book for 4th through 8th graders, especially reluctant readers and those who like dogs. ( )

Narrated by Mike Chamberlain and John H. Mayer. A road trip story with requisite motley crew of characters. Not Gary Paulsen's strongest story in my mind. Chamberlain and Mayer do an adequate job narrating, giving Ben a youthful voice and old dog Atticus a sense of all-knowing unflappability (probably my favorite character of the book!). More of a 2.5 star rating. ( )

An easy fast read. Entertaining but nothing special. Definitely not a book I will remember a year from now. ( )

This middle-grade novel is a collaboration between Gary Paulsen and his son Jim. Road Trip is about a father and son Ben, who set off on a road trip to rescue a border collie. They take their dog Atticus with them, and Atticus chimes in with his perspective at the end of each chapter. Ben isn't excited to go on the trip. He'd rather be home with his friends. And he soon learns that part of his dad's purpose for the trip is to explain to him some big changes in their family. Along the way, they pick up three other people who are facing challenges in their lives. Some of the plot twists are very hard to believe, but if you are willing to suspend disbelief a bit, this is an enjoyable book with some strong characters. ( )