The Brave Journey

Kingdom at the End of the Driveway #1

by Jefferson Knapp, Tim Ladwig

After his beloved dog, Pugsly, dies, 12-year-old Benjamin Biggs stumbles upon a secret underground kingdom of misfit animals across the road from his country home. Wearing his dog's collar as a bracelet, he finds he is able to talk to the animals, learning that their king, Pugsly, was assassinated by the giant, mysterious python, Farangis. With news of Farangis soon returning to kill the rest of them, Benjamin agrees to lead a small band of quirky animals on a long and dangerous journey to save the kingdom. Through discovering the secret life his dog lived, Benjamin learns that loyalty and friendship can ultimately involve sacrifice.

Genres: Childrens

204 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2011

Reviews

[Karlee Kamberling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good because it shows and talks about bravery and how to step out of your comfort zone. In this book Benjamin Briggs shows bravery by bringing animals together to defeat a mean python. Benjamin also steps out of his comfort zone by going out and defeating the python. I like this book because it was happy at the beginning but then it turned sad. I liked the character Benjamin because he is brave and he is very friendly. This book also includes a lot of animals, out of all the animals Benjamin's dog is my favorite even though he ends up dying. Overall I really liked this book and it was well written.

[Audra · Rating 3 out of 5]

While visiting my nephew in Augusta, KS a few years ago, I picked this book up at a Fall festival that was going on in Leon, KS. The author was signing purchased copies of his book so I thought I would get it for my son. Since I met the author in person, I decided I would read the book for the fun-of-it. Although generated for the younger generations, this book took me by surprise and I found it enjoyable and funny. The writing is a little rough around the edges, but it is still a good read. It is not all cutsie and had some dramatic scenes in it as well. Probably for older children.

[Destiny Kurnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only was this book adventurous, it's storyline is around the area where I grew up in Kansas as well. I think that makes me connect to it a little more.

"A 12-year-old boy stumbles upon a secret cave of talking animals only to learn his dog was their assassinated king. He agrees to leave the team on a dangerous journey to destroy a monster before it returns to kill them all."

The "monster" is a giant python.
...Will him and the brave animals all make it out alive? Read to find out.



I ordered all of the books because the author actually came to visit our school when I was a little kid, he sold the Brave Journey storyline so well that the book stuck with me till this day. When I ordered all the books, Jefferson Knapp actually emailed me himself. Politely asked if he wanted me to sign a book... to my surprise he signed every single book out of the series with a little note.
Not only is it a great book the author himself is so nice and respectful!



I highly recommend this book to anyone in the state of Kansas to read this book, and even past the state lines. This book is just so adventurous, I couldn't put it down!

[Lyndsey Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Jefferson's books! Ever since 5th grade when he came to our school I have been obssesed and I have signed copies of 4 of them. This tale is so exciting and Roscoe is my favorite character. The suspense with Farangis was great.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled across this book because the author came to my kids' school. It took me a few chapters to get into, but then the book was unlike any story I've read before. A pig, a fainting goat, a mangy dog and a human go off on an adventure to save a misfit animal kingdom.

[R.Z. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable story, well conceived, imaginative, and well written. The characters are unusual and likable, except for those who are exceedingly unlikable, in other words, the villeins. I enjoyed the book.
One warning for parents however: This book has some dark characters and a fair amount of violence. If your child is a very young reader, you might want to screen this book before allowing it to be read.

[Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok the author of this series came to my school and whoever is reading I just want to say he is from Kansas and he is just a great guy and super funny and creative!!!!! : )