Explore the Rocky Mountains - Experience the Great Sand Dunes - Hike the Grand Canyon
**This single-volume collects books 1-3 into one HUGE 600-page Book** (Not a box set. You can purchase the books individually by going to the series link above.)
The National Park Mystery Series
Before Jake’s grandfather died, he was on the trail of a centuries-old mystery. And he has entrusted that mystery to Jake, leaving behind a set of hidden codes, riddles, maps, and other clues that lead Jake and his friends on a scavenger hunt into the most wild and rugged wilderness of the national parks.
The mystery unfolds as Jake, Amber, and Wes learn about survival skills, natural history, integrity, character, and friendship.
Along the way, they discover they are not the only ones on this quest. An elusive shadow group is close on their heels.
With over 100 illustrations in this collection, this page-turning adventure is designed to capture the imagination of even the most reluctant of young readers. Parents looking for a delightful read-aloud adventure will find it hard to put down. (Word of readers frequently note that this is a “Please read just one more chapter” experience).
If your family loves the enchanted lands of our national parks, this series will take you to hidden places and into breathtaking landscapes. If you enjoy movies like National Treasure and Uncharted, or mystery adventures like the Hardy Boys and Gary Paulsen’s survival story, Hatchet, you’ll love this third installment of the National Park Mystery Series. Start this epic adventure on your Kindle app, or begin the journey with a paperback copy.
Aaron Johnson is the author of middle-grade mystery-adventure novels and non-fiction books in the field of online education.
Middle-Grade Fiction Aaron Johnson is the author and illustrator of the middle-grade mystery-adventure books in the National Park Mystery Series. As a backcountry guide, he has lived numerous months out of his backpack exploring Rocky Mountain National Park and the wilderness areas of Colorado. He is a former high school and middle school teacher and the founder of the online hiking guide, Dayhikes Near Denver. With over one-million visitors per year, it has become the most popular hiking resource for the Denver Metro Area and Front Range of Colorado. Aaron lives with his wife and two daughters in Castle Rock, Colorado.
Aaron Johnson is Associate Dean of Educational Technology at Denver Seminary, a graduate school in Littleton, Colorado. As a veteran online educator, Mr. Johnson's goal is to support teachers transitioning to the online classroom and those who want to improve their teaching skills.
His books have become go-to resources for colleges, universities, and K-12 school districts. Their to-the-point style and practical ideas make them easy to read and immediately applicable. Readers describe the series as "useful," "helpful," "applicable," "reassuring," and "accessible."
His background includes work as a teacher, instructional designer, and faculty developer. During the initial days of COVID, Mr. Johnson was a sought-after aid to institutions that needed help transitioning their faculty to online delivery.
Young middle readers looking for a mystery series will enjoy these books about Jake, Wes and Amber and their scavenger hunts of sorts while camping with their families in the National Parks. The first three books help the reader explore Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes and Grand Canyon National Parks. As the kids work on solving the mystery left behind by Jake's grandpa, they, and the reader, learn hiking skills and some of the history/geology of the parks. Each of the modern day stories alternates with a story from the late 1800s - developing the mystery further and teaching more history along the way. It's been decades since I've read a Nancy Drew story but I think the NP Mystery series are reminiscient of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys in terms of reading level and mystery level.
What a clever book for all to read!! I am fascinated by the National parks and this book will draw young and old into the interesting journey that a late grandfather has orchestrated for his grandson. I wish I could read this aloud to my girls but they are in their 20’s. We would have had a fun time guessing what would happen next and practicing different codes!!! Loved it!!!!!
Engaging read for me and for youth (middle school age). I love the National Parks and having their adventures there made it a better experience for me. The informative illustrations and maps added to the intriguing story of the three friends. I already knew the 10 Essentials but this is a good way for youth to learn emergency preparedness. The three kids solve a mystery while exploring the Parks and learning how to interact with each other. I purchased the book to share with an 11 year old but not until I had finished reading it.
I was intrigued by these books, but thought they might not interest my grandkids. So I bought the Kindle version and have been reading them myself. They are so much fun! We bought three sets for a fourth grade classroom that we sponsor, and there will be more under some grandkids’ Christmas trees this year.
All three books were interesting. There is a great story and I love that it spans several books. It’s best read in order to follow along with the clues and adventures. I liked the setting for this one and learning about what’s in the bottom of the canyon.