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Each of us has the responsibility to protect and enrich our community, to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and vibrant planet. In each action-packed book, Travels with Gannon & Wyatt communicates these values and inspires young people to do their part to help make the world a better place.
- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Travels with Gannon & Wyatt is a phenomenal series that encourages the next generation of conservationists to push their boundaries and challenge themselves to explore life outside their comfort zones. A must read for any young person interested in the wild world of nature that sustains us all."
- Brigitte Griswold, Director of Youth Programs, The Nature Conservancy
While on vacation in Ireland, Gannon and Wyatt visit medieval castles, climb the Cliffs of Moher, and explore the ancient Newgrange monument. But after Gannon kisses the Blarney Stone their adventure takes a dramatic turn. While volunteering on a farm to connect with their Irish roots, they learn that a deadly blight is wreaking havoc on the Irish farmland. Determined to uncover the true cause, the courageous explorers embark on a secret mission to gather evidence against a ruthless suspect, but soon find themselves running for their lives. Ultimately, they must rely on their wilderness survival skills and Gannon’s “gift of gab” if they hope to bring justice to their ancestral home.
In the tradition of the historic journals kept by explorers such as Lewis and Clark, Dr. David Livingstone, and Captain James Cook comes the adventure series Travels with Gannon and Wyatt. From Africa to the South Pacific, these twin brothers have traveled the world. You never know what they will encounter as they venture into the wild, but one thing is certain wherever Gannon and Wyatt go, adventure is their constant companion.
You can find Gannon and Wyatt’s blog, photographs, and video footage from their real-life expeditions at travelswithgannonandwyatt.com.
- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Travels with Gannon & Wyatt is a phenomenal series that encourages the next generation of conservationists to push their boundaries and challenge themselves to explore life outside their comfort zones. A must read for any young person interested in the wild world of nature that sustains us all."
- Brigitte Griswold, Director of Youth Programs, The Nature Conservancy
While on vacation in Ireland, Gannon and Wyatt visit medieval castles, climb the Cliffs of Moher, and explore the ancient Newgrange monument. But after Gannon kisses the Blarney Stone their adventure takes a dramatic turn. While volunteering on a farm to connect with their Irish roots, they learn that a deadly blight is wreaking havoc on the Irish farmland. Determined to uncover the true cause, the courageous explorers embark on a secret mission to gather evidence against a ruthless suspect, but soon find themselves running for their lives. Ultimately, they must rely on their wilderness survival skills and Gannon’s “gift of gab” if they hope to bring justice to their ancestral home.
In the tradition of the historic journals kept by explorers such as Lewis and Clark, Dr. David Livingstone, and Captain James Cook comes the adventure series Travels with Gannon and Wyatt. From Africa to the South Pacific, these twin brothers have traveled the world. You never know what they will encounter as they venture into the wild, but one thing is certain wherever Gannon and Wyatt go, adventure is their constant companion.
You can find Gannon and Wyatt’s blog, photographs, and video footage from their real-life expeditions at travelswithgannonandwyatt.com.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2015
224 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 29, 2018
Gannon and Wyatt are working on a farm in Ireland, soaking in the rich Irish countryside, when they discover water pollution in the nearby river. It’s up to the twins to speak out, and bring the illegal pollution to the attention of the authorities. While they are gathering evidence, a dangerous suspect is determined to stop them, and the twins find themselves on the run in a mysterious Irish forest.
Gannon is certain that fairies, elves, and maybe even leprechauns, are stalking them in the forest. But Wyatt, ever the scientist, is only focused on getting their evidence of the pollution safely away, so they can be used to convict the suspects.
Another exciting book in the Gannon and Wyatt series! I am loving all these travel books!
First of all, I just adore stories set in Ireland! 🇮🇪
There is such a lush landscape, full of beautiful countryside and mysterious ancient magic. What better setting for an adventure story?
Secondly, every book in the series does such a wonderful job of painting a picture of not only the country’s towns and forests and wildlife, but also showing the indomitable spirit of the people who live there.
Ireland has such a rich cultural history, and that is honored and celebrated in this book!
I love every minute!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
Gannon is certain that fairies, elves, and maybe even leprechauns, are stalking them in the forest. But Wyatt, ever the scientist, is only focused on getting their evidence of the pollution safely away, so they can be used to convict the suspects.
Another exciting book in the Gannon and Wyatt series! I am loving all these travel books!
First of all, I just adore stories set in Ireland! 🇮🇪
There is such a lush landscape, full of beautiful countryside and mysterious ancient magic. What better setting for an adventure story?
Secondly, every book in the series does such a wonderful job of painting a picture of not only the country’s towns and forests and wildlife, but also showing the indomitable spirit of the people who live there.
Ireland has such a rich cultural history, and that is honored and celebrated in this book!
I love every minute!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
September 26, 2016
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt is a series for middlegrader readers to learn about places around the world through the travels of twin brothers. They keep a journal of their trips and you can find Gannon and Wyatt’s blog, photographs, and video footage from their real-life expeditions at travelswithgannonandwyatt.com. The fifteen-year-old brothers have a sculptor-painter dad and a flight attendant mom, which is why the get to travel so much. Wyatt loves science and Gannon enjoys the humanities. Both of these interests come into play in this book.
In this book they travel to Ireland to explore their Irish roots. After visiting several tourist sites such as medieval castles, climbing the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the ancient Newgrange monument and even kissing the Blarney Stone (at least Gannon does), they head off to work on a real Irish farm. While there they find out that the neighbouring farm is a factory farm and it is polluting both the water and the air. The animals are also being kept in very inhumane conditions. When they decide they need to help Mr. O'Leary, they take samples of the water and pictures of the animals in cages. The adventures become dangerous as they try to get someone to shut down the farm to preserve the land for family farms around the county.
The book is easy to read with different parts told from the different brother's pespective. They have fun, get mad at one another, embarrass each other and do all those things siblings do to one another. I think this is a great way to learn about various countries, their cultures, their landmarks and their people. A great series to have in a school library or classroom, especially with the web-based portion as an added bonus.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this book they travel to Ireland to explore their Irish roots. After visiting several tourist sites such as medieval castles, climbing the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the ancient Newgrange monument and even kissing the Blarney Stone (at least Gannon does), they head off to work on a real Irish farm. While there they find out that the neighbouring farm is a factory farm and it is polluting both the water and the air. The animals are also being kept in very inhumane conditions. When they decide they need to help Mr. O'Leary, they take samples of the water and pictures of the animals in cages. The adventures become dangerous as they try to get someone to shut down the farm to preserve the land for family farms around the county.
The book is easy to read with different parts told from the different brother's pespective. They have fun, get mad at one another, embarrass each other and do all those things siblings do to one another. I think this is a great way to learn about various countries, their cultures, their landmarks and their people. A great series to have in a school library or classroom, especially with the web-based portion as an added bonus.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2015
REVIEW: TRAVELS WITH GANNON AND WYATT: IRELAND by Party Wheeler
The best way to learn a locale is to visit; the second best way is to become an armchair traveler and learn from those who do know a region. The TRAVELS WITH GANNON AND WYATT series introduces each different locals, with photographs and journal entries. The fifteen-year-old brothers have a sculptor-painter dad and a flight attendant mom. Wyatt loves science; Gannon enjoys humanities. Both excel at delivering I formation and educating, and passing along their lifelong love of both learning and travel.
The best way to learn a locale is to visit; the second best way is to become an armchair traveler and learn from those who do know a region. The TRAVELS WITH GANNON AND WYATT series introduces each different locals, with photographs and journal entries. The fifteen-year-old brothers have a sculptor-painter dad and a flight attendant mom. Wyatt loves science; Gannon enjoys humanities. Both excel at delivering I formation and educating, and passing along their lifelong love of both learning and travel.
April 22, 2015
Title: Travels with Gannon & Wyatt: Ireland
Authors: Patti Wheeler & Keith Hemstreet
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Date: 2015
Pages: 93 (NOOK version)
[Disclaimer: I was provided and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review of this book. I was not compensated in any way and I was not required to write a positive review of the book.]
Related Links:
Y.E.S
Gannon & Wyatt
Travels with Gannon & Wyatt: Ireland, is one book in a series of books featuring Gannon and Wyatt, two young men who have the good fortune of being able to travel around the world visiting new places and doing all sorts of adventurous things. The series of books are 'loosely based on real-life travels' of a real-life Gannon and Wyatt.
Their travels have taken them to many different places including Egypt, Botswana, Greenland, and the Rain Forest. The current iteration of these adventures takes place in a more low-key environment: Ireland.
The book is written in the form of a journal with the entries of the journal alternating between the two protagonists--Wyatt and Gannon. This is an interesting format because we end up getting two perspectives on nearly every event and we certainly get to experience different personalities in this way. I did wonder about a couple of features. First, I wondered about the style of journal entries and how so much could be remembered about, for example, conversations between people in the story. That's just my thing. Perhaps we are supposed to suspend disbelief or maybe some people really write journals in that format and have prodigious memories. Second, each journal entry includes a date, time, location, temperature, weather conditions, and specific GPS locations. This is fairly succinct information that, again, might be a style of this sort of journal keeping. Journals are usually written after the fact and with all the adventure going on in the story, I wonder how they had time to keep track of such information.
Maybe that's just how adventure journals of home schooled children are written. It does add a certain realness to the story which, however strange, made the reading a little more fun. It might also be fun for students reading these books in a classroom or otherwise to use the coordinates to look up specific locations using GPS or Google Earth. Again, it adds depth to the story and makes the reading an interactive experience which will help engage reluctant readers.
Another important feature of the book is the photographs that are scattered throughout. I enjoyed seeing pictures of real and historical aspects of Ireland (and much more besides). I especially liked the picture of the library at Trinity College. I think the pictures add significant depth to the story and help keep the reader in touch with the comings and goings of the two young men. They give the story a real feel which will certainly help young readers make a connection. In a word, they are engaging.
A lot of stories that are written for children today are just absurd because they are devoid of anything smacking of culture. Many of these works tend to be fairly narcissistic stories about how to overcome some personal defect or how to become 'truly oneself.' The characters are real and even if they have certain defects, they are what I call strong characters. I didn't find any of the narcissism that plagues a lot of children's stories in this story. I read about the history of Ireland, about famous people from Ireland, and about some of the more significant aspects of Ireland. I was encouraged to read about famous locations in Ireland and about some of the significant traditions that our Irish friends have given us. I was hopeful when names like Monet and Cezanne and Van Gogh made passing appearances. Space is made for Oscar Wilde and James Joyce. I was also happy to learn about "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" and conduct a little of my own research on this magnificent piece of art. And finally, the interspersing of Irish lingo throughout the book was fun (thankfully the authors provided a glossary of these terms for the lingu-ignorant among us.)
So as far as it goes, there is a lot to commend with this book, but if I am to be truthful in my review, I will quickly add that I didn't find the overall story very compelling. It seemed a little heavy on the 'preachy' side of things. The authors note at the end that '[F]armers must deal with issues of volume and efficiency. Not to mention make a profit. All legitimate concerns. So, what's the solution? We don't know. What we do know is that there are humane and healthy ways to go about it." I can appreciate this and if the book happens to provide a somewhat outrageous and convenient solution to these problems, I can at least confess that the story does raise a significant and legitimate concerns that humans from all countries need to address. Animals should be treated ethically and our environment should not be destroyed at the expense of farmers making a profit. Contrasting the corporate mega-farm with that of the smaller, local farm was a nice touch and maybe therein is part of the solution: local farms working with renewable and sustainable resources to provide for local families and communities. Maybe such wisdom can be shared and perpetuated around the world. Perhaps some readers would be interested in reading the work of Wendell Berry who provides a great deal of commentary on such matters.
In the meantime, having the conversation is important and perhaps young readers will sense the urgency of these issues and begin to think of solutions that us adults have yet to consider. At least the authors are candid enough to admit their own ignorance; I stand with them in ignorance. But there are thoughtful young people in the world who will help us overcome our ignorance. Perhaps books like this will serve as catalysts for growth and change as our individual and collective conscience is raised in awareness.
All in all this was a fun book to read. It was also a quick read and shouldn't pose any problems for its intended audience. This would be a good companion story to read along with a unit on Ireland and I can envision all sorts of side projects to go along with it in social studies--geography, history, conservation, environmental issues, language, local polity, and more. It would be exciting to watch a group of students take the main issue in the book and debate it and/or present solutions to solving it. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the story because even if there are a lot of strange, outrageous things that happen in the story, it is still worth the effort if it helps students do things like write their own daily journals, explore the world around them, or begin thinking about how we might solve some of the more problematic issues our world continues to encounter in the face of unrestricted greed.
4/5 Stars
Authors: Patti Wheeler & Keith Hemstreet
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Date: 2015
Pages: 93 (NOOK version)
[Disclaimer: I was provided and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review of this book. I was not compensated in any way and I was not required to write a positive review of the book.]
Related Links:
Y.E.S
Gannon & Wyatt
Travels with Gannon & Wyatt: Ireland, is one book in a series of books featuring Gannon and Wyatt, two young men who have the good fortune of being able to travel around the world visiting new places and doing all sorts of adventurous things. The series of books are 'loosely based on real-life travels' of a real-life Gannon and Wyatt.
Their travels have taken them to many different places including Egypt, Botswana, Greenland, and the Rain Forest. The current iteration of these adventures takes place in a more low-key environment: Ireland.
The book is written in the form of a journal with the entries of the journal alternating between the two protagonists--Wyatt and Gannon. This is an interesting format because we end up getting two perspectives on nearly every event and we certainly get to experience different personalities in this way. I did wonder about a couple of features. First, I wondered about the style of journal entries and how so much could be remembered about, for example, conversations between people in the story. That's just my thing. Perhaps we are supposed to suspend disbelief or maybe some people really write journals in that format and have prodigious memories. Second, each journal entry includes a date, time, location, temperature, weather conditions, and specific GPS locations. This is fairly succinct information that, again, might be a style of this sort of journal keeping. Journals are usually written after the fact and with all the adventure going on in the story, I wonder how they had time to keep track of such information.
Maybe that's just how adventure journals of home schooled children are written. It does add a certain realness to the story which, however strange, made the reading a little more fun. It might also be fun for students reading these books in a classroom or otherwise to use the coordinates to look up specific locations using GPS or Google Earth. Again, it adds depth to the story and makes the reading an interactive experience which will help engage reluctant readers.
Another important feature of the book is the photographs that are scattered throughout. I enjoyed seeing pictures of real and historical aspects of Ireland (and much more besides). I especially liked the picture of the library at Trinity College. I think the pictures add significant depth to the story and help keep the reader in touch with the comings and goings of the two young men. They give the story a real feel which will certainly help young readers make a connection. In a word, they are engaging.
A lot of stories that are written for children today are just absurd because they are devoid of anything smacking of culture. Many of these works tend to be fairly narcissistic stories about how to overcome some personal defect or how to become 'truly oneself.' The characters are real and even if they have certain defects, they are what I call strong characters. I didn't find any of the narcissism that plagues a lot of children's stories in this story. I read about the history of Ireland, about famous people from Ireland, and about some of the more significant aspects of Ireland. I was encouraged to read about famous locations in Ireland and about some of the significant traditions that our Irish friends have given us. I was hopeful when names like Monet and Cezanne and Van Gogh made passing appearances. Space is made for Oscar Wilde and James Joyce. I was also happy to learn about "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" and conduct a little of my own research on this magnificent piece of art. And finally, the interspersing of Irish lingo throughout the book was fun (thankfully the authors provided a glossary of these terms for the lingu-ignorant among us.)
So as far as it goes, there is a lot to commend with this book, but if I am to be truthful in my review, I will quickly add that I didn't find the overall story very compelling. It seemed a little heavy on the 'preachy' side of things. The authors note at the end that '[F]armers must deal with issues of volume and efficiency. Not to mention make a profit. All legitimate concerns. So, what's the solution? We don't know. What we do know is that there are humane and healthy ways to go about it." I can appreciate this and if the book happens to provide a somewhat outrageous and convenient solution to these problems, I can at least confess that the story does raise a significant and legitimate concerns that humans from all countries need to address. Animals should be treated ethically and our environment should not be destroyed at the expense of farmers making a profit. Contrasting the corporate mega-farm with that of the smaller, local farm was a nice touch and maybe therein is part of the solution: local farms working with renewable and sustainable resources to provide for local families and communities. Maybe such wisdom can be shared and perpetuated around the world. Perhaps some readers would be interested in reading the work of Wendell Berry who provides a great deal of commentary on such matters.
In the meantime, having the conversation is important and perhaps young readers will sense the urgency of these issues and begin to think of solutions that us adults have yet to consider. At least the authors are candid enough to admit their own ignorance; I stand with them in ignorance. But there are thoughtful young people in the world who will help us overcome our ignorance. Perhaps books like this will serve as catalysts for growth and change as our individual and collective conscience is raised in awareness.
All in all this was a fun book to read. It was also a quick read and shouldn't pose any problems for its intended audience. This would be a good companion story to read along with a unit on Ireland and I can envision all sorts of side projects to go along with it in social studies--geography, history, conservation, environmental issues, language, local polity, and more. It would be exciting to watch a group of students take the main issue in the book and debate it and/or present solutions to solving it. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the story because even if there are a lot of strange, outrageous things that happen in the story, it is still worth the effort if it helps students do things like write their own daily journals, explore the world around them, or begin thinking about how we might solve some of the more problematic issues our world continues to encounter in the face of unrestricted greed.
4/5 Stars
March 5, 2015
It's another installment in the Travels with Gannon and Wyatt educational adventure series for middle-grade readers and revolving around two kids: Gannon and Wyatt with heart-stopping action. The books can be read in any order.
This ARC was provided by NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press in exchange for an honest review.
My Take
It's ideal reading for middle-grade readers who love adventurous tales while parents will adore the inspirational aspect of doing what's right. How much better to get in trouble for doing the right thing than getting in trouble simply for the sake of it!
Parents who homeschool their kids may get some ideas from this as well. Actually, it could well give all parents ideas on using travel to help broaden their children's horizons. And work on their writing skills, lol. Man, kids'll hate me for saying that! *more laughter*
It's a great balance of Gannon as the dreamer and Wyatt as the scientific one and provides lots of opportunities for the boys to sling off at each other besides providing different perspectives on the countries they visit and the situations in which they get involved. They're a lot like most siblings that way, including how they band together to help each other out.
Using O'Leary's farm is a great idea (most kids like farms), which has just reminded me of the boys spreading, ahem, manure on the fields. Definitely an aspect of the story boys will have fun joking about while the girls will be ewing *grin* I know I did, eww, that is.
Learning the language of the country is a great idea too. It's a terrific way to impress the natives (no, I don't mean to sound condescending) and get a more in-depth feel for a country. It's simply that people appreciate one making an effort, even if all you learn is hello, good-bye, and please and thank you. Wheeler/Hemstreet have the boys play tourist as well with the usual attractions such as the Blarney Stone and finding a four-leaf clover, but they also include the Irish parliament and a party. I do love the mention of Irish food — and that full Irish breakfast!
It's not great reading for adults due to the unrealistic parts. I cannot imagine parents leaving their kids on their own for a month as Mom and Dad do in Ireland. There aren't even any phone calls or emails checking in on either side. I'd de-emphasize that side of it when or if any parent discusses the story with their kids! You will probably want to discuss Gannon's inappropriate behavior and talk about different ways and times that would have been better. Then again, Gannon's interruption does have an effect.
Wheeler/Hemstreet are also heavyhanded with how Moloney and his thugs react. It does speed up events, but I have a hard time imagining a man like him reacting so quickly like this against kids. The quick delivery of threats also seems out of line. I doubt, though that kids will notice this. There are a few more areas that don't seem in character with the boys; I'll leave you to find 'em.
It's pretty impressive that Oscar is able to find the boys. Hmm, why didn't the boys leap up and tell Mr. O'Leary about the evidence they've gathered?
Oh, excuse me! Since when is a father, even if he's being arrested, not entitled to know where police are taking his daughter?
Of course, the fact that the O'Learys had a whole room devoted to three walls of books has nothing to do with my enjoying this story. Ahem.
The Story
After a tour of Irish points of interest, the family breaks up to pursue their own interests: Dad is naturally off to paint while Mom is volunteering to help and Gannon and Wyatt have chosen (well, Gannon bullied Wyatt into it) to spend a month on a typical Irish farm.
A farm where they'll find grave injustice and plenty of adventure.
The Characters
Wyatt is fascinated by "the science of a place: the geology, topography, ecosystem, and climate". You can see that simply from the headings Wyatt puts on his journal entries with all the details about the weather that day, lol. Gannon is fascinated by "the people, their history, culture, and language". Dad is off to paint the "forty different shades of green" to be found in Ireland. Mom, a World Airlines flight attendant (it's why the family can travel so much), is off to volunteer at an orphanage in Dublin.
Cormac O'Leary is the farmer at Shamrock Farm. Grace is Mr. O'Leary's harp-playing, poetry-writing daughter. Oscar is Grace's red-tailed hawk. Kaitlin is Grace's deceased mother; it's her family's farm, and it's been the Flanagans' farm for six generations.
Martin is the castle butler who's willing to get Grace, Wyatt, and Gannon inside for a special exhibition and auction of Francis Bacon's Three Studies of Lucian Freud.
Kilgore Moloney owns the Moloney's Factory Farm Complex, a.k.a., the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, a nasty factory farm growing animals for market. Mr. Kipling is the protesting scientist.
William McGuinness helps Gannon kiss the Blarney Stone. Margaret Sorenson is the buyer of the painting. The Garda are Irish policemen.
The Cover and Title
The cover is vivid in its oranges and greens of the sunset and Irish hills. The graphic is a montage of events in the story with Wyatt and Gannon behind the castle with its knights in armor where Gannon first confronts Moloney and the red deer and fox they encounter as well.
The title is appropriate as Ireland is the country the boys explore.
This ARC was provided by NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press in exchange for an honest review.
"We're on a quest for the kind of knowledge you can't get from a textbook."
My Take
It's ideal reading for middle-grade readers who love adventurous tales while parents will adore the inspirational aspect of doing what's right. How much better to get in trouble for doing the right thing than getting in trouble simply for the sake of it!
Parents who homeschool their kids may get some ideas from this as well. Actually, it could well give all parents ideas on using travel to help broaden their children's horizons. And work on their writing skills, lol. Man, kids'll hate me for saying that! *more laughter*
It's a great balance of Gannon as the dreamer and Wyatt as the scientific one and provides lots of opportunities for the boys to sling off at each other besides providing different perspectives on the countries they visit and the situations in which they get involved. They're a lot like most siblings that way, including how they band together to help each other out.
Using O'Leary's farm is a great idea (most kids like farms), which has just reminded me of the boys spreading, ahem, manure on the fields. Definitely an aspect of the story boys will have fun joking about while the girls will be ewing *grin* I know I did, eww, that is.
Reading this will make you reach for those organic meats!
Learning the language of the country is a great idea too. It's a terrific way to impress the natives (no, I don't mean to sound condescending) and get a more in-depth feel for a country. It's simply that people appreciate one making an effort, even if all you learn is hello, good-bye, and please and thank you. Wheeler/Hemstreet have the boys play tourist as well with the usual attractions such as the Blarney Stone and finding a four-leaf clover, but they also include the Irish parliament and a party. I do love the mention of Irish food — and that full Irish breakfast!
It's not great reading for adults due to the unrealistic parts. I cannot imagine parents leaving their kids on their own for a month as Mom and Dad do in Ireland. There aren't even any phone calls or emails checking in on either side. I'd de-emphasize that side of it when or if any parent discusses the story with their kids! You will probably want to discuss Gannon's inappropriate behavior and talk about different ways and times that would have been better. Then again, Gannon's interruption does have an effect.
Wheeler/Hemstreet are also heavyhanded with how Moloney and his thugs react. It does speed up events, but I have a hard time imagining a man like him reacting so quickly like this against kids. The quick delivery of threats also seems out of line. I doubt, though that kids will notice this. There are a few more areas that don't seem in character with the boys; I'll leave you to find 'em.
It's pretty impressive that Oscar is able to find the boys. Hmm, why didn't the boys leap up and tell Mr. O'Leary about the evidence they've gathered?
Oh, excuse me! Since when is a father, even if he's being arrested, not entitled to know where police are taking his daughter?
Of course, the fact that the O'Learys had a whole room devoted to three walls of books has nothing to do with my enjoying this story. Ahem.
I do love this Oscar Wilde quote:"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."I'll have to remember that one, lol!
The Story
After a tour of Irish points of interest, the family breaks up to pursue their own interests: Dad is naturally off to paint while Mom is volunteering to help and Gannon and Wyatt have chosen (well, Gannon bullied Wyatt into it) to spend a month on a typical Irish farm.
A farm where they'll find grave injustice and plenty of adventure.
The Characters
Wyatt is fascinated by "the science of a place: the geology, topography, ecosystem, and climate". You can see that simply from the headings Wyatt puts on his journal entries with all the details about the weather that day, lol. Gannon is fascinated by "the people, their history, culture, and language". Dad is off to paint the "forty different shades of green" to be found in Ireland. Mom, a World Airlines flight attendant (it's why the family can travel so much), is off to volunteer at an orphanage in Dublin.
Cormac O'Leary is the farmer at Shamrock Farm. Grace is Mr. O'Leary's harp-playing, poetry-writing daughter. Oscar is Grace's red-tailed hawk. Kaitlin is Grace's deceased mother; it's her family's farm, and it's been the Flanagans' farm for six generations.
Martin is the castle butler who's willing to get Grace, Wyatt, and Gannon inside for a special exhibition and auction of Francis Bacon's Three Studies of Lucian Freud.
Kilgore Moloney owns the Moloney's Factory Farm Complex, a.k.a., the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, a nasty factory farm growing animals for market. Mr. Kipling is the protesting scientist.
William McGuinness helps Gannon kiss the Blarney Stone. Margaret Sorenson is the buyer of the painting. The Garda are Irish policemen.
The Cover and Title
The cover is vivid in its oranges and greens of the sunset and Irish hills. The graphic is a montage of events in the story with Wyatt and Gannon behind the castle with its knights in armor where Gannon first confronts Moloney and the red deer and fox they encounter as well.
The title is appropriate as Ireland is the country the boys explore.
August 22, 2023
I chose to read this to my kids after visiting Ireland. My kids loved the story and want to read more of Gannon & Wyatt’s adventurous travels. Having twin main characters allows different perspectives within the same story. I like the inclusion of history, national sights and questioning ethics of modern commercial farming.
July 20, 2018
Other books in this series were far superior. This particular book didn't tell as much about the country as other books in the series did. For that reason, it was a disappointment.
July 4, 2020
Very good
September 20, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
This is the second Gannon and Wyatt book I've read; the first was Hawaii. Ireland worked better than Hawaii in two ways. First, the brother's relationship was more developed. Second, the informational parts were more cleanly woven into the story; it didn't feel like an encyclopedia excerpts dropped into the narrative. This created a more engaging story.
The narrative style is more telling than showing. One is told that the boys are cold but not shown the effects of being cold such as toes that hurt and fingers that don't work. I knew the boys were cold, but I did feel the cold along with them. Omitting the physical and emotional senses and experiences made the story more surface and less personal.
Finally, I was somewhat bothered by Gannon referring to his brother as nerdy because he likes science. I know nerdy scientists are in right now (Big Bang anyone?), but for a series that aims not only to entertain, but to educate and to inspire kids to find their passion, it is a shame that this stereotype is reinforced.
I highly recommend this series.
This is the second Gannon and Wyatt book I've read; the first was Hawaii. Ireland worked better than Hawaii in two ways. First, the brother's relationship was more developed. Second, the informational parts were more cleanly woven into the story; it didn't feel like an encyclopedia excerpts dropped into the narrative. This created a more engaging story.
The narrative style is more telling than showing. One is told that the boys are cold but not shown the effects of being cold such as toes that hurt and fingers that don't work. I knew the boys were cold, but I did feel the cold along with them. Omitting the physical and emotional senses and experiences made the story more surface and less personal.
Finally, I was somewhat bothered by Gannon referring to his brother as nerdy because he likes science. I know nerdy scientists are in right now (Big Bang anyone?), but for a series that aims not only to entertain, but to educate and to inspire kids to find their passion, it is a shame that this stereotype is reinforced.
I highly recommend this series.
December 7, 2016
Travels With Wyatt and Gannon: Ireland
Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet
Travels With Wyatt and Gannon Series
Adventure/Action
Juvenile
Review: Wyatt and Gannon are finally on a cushy vacation where everything is about relaxing and enjoying the Irish views. That is until Gannon convinces Wyatt that they need to get a true Irish Experience and to do just that they volunteer to work on an Irish Farm in County Kerry called Shamrock farm. So their days should be full of sheep and crops, but with these two boys nothing is ever easy. Instead they learn about a corrupt “farmer” who is destroying the countryside. Being who they are, Wyatt and Gannon cannot just sit back and do nothing. Instead, they get themselves mixed up in some scary situations to protect the O’leary’s farm and the lands of Ireland themselves.
Even though there were parts that were a little far fetched in this story, this one was probably my favorite so far. I cannot go into too much detail about the unbelievable parts without giving a major part of the story away, but let me just say that it wasn’t Gannon’s belief in fairies, leprechauns, and the luck of the Irish that caused disbelief. Instead, it was something that Gannon was allowed to do that I am pretty sure would not actually happen. Unfortunately that is all I can say without spoilers. That being said, it did not take away from the story.
I Love how this story shows concern for one's home and nature around us. Seeing young boys caring about pollution and how livestock should be treated was great. The best part is that hopefully children who are reading this will stop and think about how they impact their environment and maybe stop and do something to change it for the better.
I also have to say I am glad that this one was not so full of life and death situations. Yes, bad people were after them and they did get lost at one point, but no one almost dies or gets so badly hurt or sick that the mission comes to a stand still which seems to happen a lot in these stories. Instead the two young boys were willing to do what it took to keep the country safe, even if everyone else thinks they should just let it be.
I recommend this to all young readers especially if they are not very big on reading. I think it is a good source for teaching our children how we should treat the earth, even here in America. As usual, I also recommend it to boy who enjoy adventure and action.
I received a free ecopy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet
Travels With Wyatt and Gannon Series
Adventure/Action
Juvenile
Review: Wyatt and Gannon are finally on a cushy vacation where everything is about relaxing and enjoying the Irish views. That is until Gannon convinces Wyatt that they need to get a true Irish Experience and to do just that they volunteer to work on an Irish Farm in County Kerry called Shamrock farm. So their days should be full of sheep and crops, but with these two boys nothing is ever easy. Instead they learn about a corrupt “farmer” who is destroying the countryside. Being who they are, Wyatt and Gannon cannot just sit back and do nothing. Instead, they get themselves mixed up in some scary situations to protect the O’leary’s farm and the lands of Ireland themselves.
Even though there were parts that were a little far fetched in this story, this one was probably my favorite so far. I cannot go into too much detail about the unbelievable parts without giving a major part of the story away, but let me just say that it wasn’t Gannon’s belief in fairies, leprechauns, and the luck of the Irish that caused disbelief. Instead, it was something that Gannon was allowed to do that I am pretty sure would not actually happen. Unfortunately that is all I can say without spoilers. That being said, it did not take away from the story.
I Love how this story shows concern for one's home and nature around us. Seeing young boys caring about pollution and how livestock should be treated was great. The best part is that hopefully children who are reading this will stop and think about how they impact their environment and maybe stop and do something to change it for the better.
I also have to say I am glad that this one was not so full of life and death situations. Yes, bad people were after them and they did get lost at one point, but no one almost dies or gets so badly hurt or sick that the mission comes to a stand still which seems to happen a lot in these stories. Instead the two young boys were willing to do what it took to keep the country safe, even if everyone else thinks they should just let it be.
I recommend this to all young readers especially if they are not very big on reading. I think it is a good source for teaching our children how we should treat the earth, even here in America. As usual, I also recommend it to boy who enjoy adventure and action.
I received a free ecopy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
February 24, 2015
Brothers Gannon and Wyatt are lucky kids. They travel all over the world on vacation with their parents. While their father looks for inspirations for his art, their mother (a flight attendant), home-schools the boys. Part of their language arts assignment is to keep a journal of their travels and what they learn about each location they visit. In this book of the series the family is in Ireland and the boys sign up to work as youth volunteers on an organic farm. But when they arrive, they learn that the small farm that has been in the same family for generations is in danger. A nearby commercial farm is polluting the area with their chemicals and waste runoff and they are keeping the animals in terrible, inhumane conditions. Mr. O'Leary, the farmer they are working with, tells them that the owner of the commercial farm, Mr. Mulroney, has paid off local officials so that he can continue with his illegal practices. What can a couple of teenagers and a small, independent farmer do against a rich businessman?
Along with the mystery and action (being chased by armed thugs, getting lost in the forest at night, etc.), there is plenty of information about Ireland and the sites the boys see during their trip. Kissing the Blarney Stone, rock climbing on the Cliffs of Moher, seeing monuments to famous writers like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, and watching a rugby match in Dublin are only some of the activities they pack into their tour of the country. The photos that accompany the boys' journal entries give readers a chance to see some of the sites that are described.
Another perk is that the boys have such different interests and personalities, so they focus on different aspects of each location. Gannon is more interested in the culture - people, language, history. Wyatt is a "total science nerd" (that's his brother's description of him, not mine), so he is drawn to details of the geography, climate, and ecosystem of their vacation spots. With each of them talking about the things that catch their interests, there is well-rounded coverage of their trip within their journal entries. And their approach to life also balances out, with Gannon charging forward and going on impulse while Wyatt tends to think about the consequences and provide a calming influence.
Any young readers interested in travel, exotic/foreign locales, and a little intrigue and adventure will enjoy this series.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Along with the mystery and action (being chased by armed thugs, getting lost in the forest at night, etc.), there is plenty of information about Ireland and the sites the boys see during their trip. Kissing the Blarney Stone, rock climbing on the Cliffs of Moher, seeing monuments to famous writers like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, and watching a rugby match in Dublin are only some of the activities they pack into their tour of the country. The photos that accompany the boys' journal entries give readers a chance to see some of the sites that are described.
Another perk is that the boys have such different interests and personalities, so they focus on different aspects of each location. Gannon is more interested in the culture - people, language, history. Wyatt is a "total science nerd" (that's his brother's description of him, not mine), so he is drawn to details of the geography, climate, and ecosystem of their vacation spots. With each of them talking about the things that catch their interests, there is well-rounded coverage of their trip within their journal entries. And their approach to life also balances out, with Gannon charging forward and going on impulse while Wyatt tends to think about the consequences and provide a calming influence.
Any young readers interested in travel, exotic/foreign locales, and a little intrigue and adventure will enjoy this series.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
February 12, 2015
Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet are mixing real travel information, facts, photographs, and teenage twin boys who tell stories in the first person about antics they get themselves into. The boys are adament conservationists and environmentalists, also. Wrap all of this in with suspense and thrilling moments, and the boys' banter and teasing each other and you have an excellent learning tool disguised as a really cool book series for kids (and adults alike).
I enjoyed their trip to the Emerald Isle. Like the boys, I am also 25% Irish. After this book, I may want to go discover Ireland, the land of my ancestors. What got me so excited to go was when one of the twins wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone!! There was an actual photo of the spot. It must be embedded in a wall, separated from the sidewalk with a hole in between. Oh what you have to do to get to it to kiss it.
The boys go to work for a cranky widower, who is raising a daughter alone. It isn't long before the boys learn of a wealthy man who is caging animals to make them grow, then head to market. Besides animal cruelty, the runoff of waste water and toxins are killing fish and crops nearby. The boys sneak into these huge warehouse size buildings to get proof of wrongdoing. This is where I held my breath and squirmed a lot. The rest is too good to give away. You just have to read it to find out for yourselves.
The only problem I had was keeping the two boys straight in my head. Every other chapter was told by first Gannon and then Wyatt. I tried, but I got confused which one was narrating which chapter and who believed or said what. That was my only criticism, if it was even that. I hear that the other books are very good. I wish they would write a book on their travels to Germany.
Enjoy these books! I love to hear travel stories. These are a great way for parents to read to younger beginning readers, so they learn how much fun reading can be. Chapter book readers will really enjoy the twins. Boys will be boys! They tease each other most of all, but they have each other. And these books being a series, once kids are interested, they will want to read more! (I do, and I am 49 years young. Our little secret?)
**Netgalley and the publisher allowed me to read this book and give my honest review.
I enjoyed their trip to the Emerald Isle. Like the boys, I am also 25% Irish. After this book, I may want to go discover Ireland, the land of my ancestors. What got me so excited to go was when one of the twins wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone!! There was an actual photo of the spot. It must be embedded in a wall, separated from the sidewalk with a hole in between. Oh what you have to do to get to it to kiss it.
The boys go to work for a cranky widower, who is raising a daughter alone. It isn't long before the boys learn of a wealthy man who is caging animals to make them grow, then head to market. Besides animal cruelty, the runoff of waste water and toxins are killing fish and crops nearby. The boys sneak into these huge warehouse size buildings to get proof of wrongdoing. This is where I held my breath and squirmed a lot. The rest is too good to give away. You just have to read it to find out for yourselves.
The only problem I had was keeping the two boys straight in my head. Every other chapter was told by first Gannon and then Wyatt. I tried, but I got confused which one was narrating which chapter and who believed or said what. That was my only criticism, if it was even that. I hear that the other books are very good. I wish they would write a book on their travels to Germany.
Enjoy these books! I love to hear travel stories. These are a great way for parents to read to younger beginning readers, so they learn how much fun reading can be. Chapter book readers will really enjoy the twins. Boys will be boys! They tease each other most of all, but they have each other. And these books being a series, once kids are interested, they will want to read more! (I do, and I am 49 years young. Our little secret?)
**Netgalley and the publisher allowed me to read this book and give my honest review.
May 2, 2015
"We're on a quest for the kind of knowledge you can't get from a textbook," says Gannon and Wyatt, two twin brothers who have the opportunity to travel the world. You can join them in their fictional adventure series.
Since their parents have flexible jobs that often lead the whole family through foreign countries, these brothers are living the adventure of a lifetime. This time, in the newest volume (published April 2015) the twins are stopping in Ireland for a spell. Each book in the Travels with Gannon and Wyatt series features a trip to another special corner of the globe.
There many fun things to discover in the enchanted land of Gannon and Wyatt's Irish ancestors. In the midst of all the Medieval-age architecture (like the Blarney Stone), their vacation takes a turn as the boys get involved in a problem damaging the local community. While volunteering at a farm in the area, the two brothers have to keep up with their homeschool studies while working on the farm every day.
What I love about this book is that the young characters are excited to learn about the world they live in, how things work, and the history of everything about a place and its people. Together, they just want to take in the language and traditions of Ireland, do some sight-seeing, and participate with the folks who live there. They're truly interested in helping others and solving problems. Plus, it's all wrapped up in compelling fiction to keep middle graders entertained.
Additional notes: Just keep an open mind about the Irish fairytales and lore.
Of course, I was thrilled to learn that Gannon and Wyatt are homeschool students, since I was homeschooled myself.
Excellent tourist photos are included throughout, to provide the reader with real glimpses of the boys' trip. Plus, if you'd like to learn more about the places Gannon and Wyatt visit, be sure to visit their website and other links included at the back of the book.
Now that I've discovered this series, I'm pretty excited to continue traveling with Gannon and Wyatt on their worldwide jaunt.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the free ebook.
Since their parents have flexible jobs that often lead the whole family through foreign countries, these brothers are living the adventure of a lifetime. This time, in the newest volume (published April 2015) the twins are stopping in Ireland for a spell. Each book in the Travels with Gannon and Wyatt series features a trip to another special corner of the globe.
There many fun things to discover in the enchanted land of Gannon and Wyatt's Irish ancestors. In the midst of all the Medieval-age architecture (like the Blarney Stone), their vacation takes a turn as the boys get involved in a problem damaging the local community. While volunteering at a farm in the area, the two brothers have to keep up with their homeschool studies while working on the farm every day.
What I love about this book is that the young characters are excited to learn about the world they live in, how things work, and the history of everything about a place and its people. Together, they just want to take in the language and traditions of Ireland, do some sight-seeing, and participate with the folks who live there. They're truly interested in helping others and solving problems. Plus, it's all wrapped up in compelling fiction to keep middle graders entertained.
Additional notes: Just keep an open mind about the Irish fairytales and lore.
Of course, I was thrilled to learn that Gannon and Wyatt are homeschool students, since I was homeschooled myself.
Excellent tourist photos are included throughout, to provide the reader with real glimpses of the boys' trip. Plus, if you'd like to learn more about the places Gannon and Wyatt visit, be sure to visit their website and other links included at the back of the book.
Now that I've discovered this series, I'm pretty excited to continue traveling with Gannon and Wyatt on their worldwide jaunt.
Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for the free ebook.
March 7, 2015
This was a really good book about twins Gannon and Wyatt that get to travel with their parents as their parents jobs (mom: flight attendant and dad: art entrepreneur) allow. However, they do have to keep a detailed journal and do some kind of volunteer work that will help them get more in touch with their Irish roots. They choose to work on a farm like their great grandparents use to do before coming to America, but soon find their talents are better used to help to save the 100 year old farm, than spreading manure in the fields. There is something killing the crops and making the animals sick but can Gannon and Wyatt use all their scientific, wilderness, and gift of gab skills to bring justice and save the farm?
This is a great non stop adventure book! It also mixes a lot of fun facts and pictures about Ireland so there is some secret learning that can be had along the way. The chapters alternate between the boys, Wyatt the scientist, and Gannon the one more interested in culture, history and humanities, so you get a well rounded look at the subject. But both boys love travel, and adventure, but trouble seems to follow them everywhere they go. This book will keep you on your toes with the insane mystery, action, thugs, being lost in the forest, falconry (Oscar is the coolest), and all the great information on Ireland that will make you wish you were there yourself. The book is awesome for anyone who likes nonstop action, and anyone who is interested in travel to foreign places. This is a great book and series for any middle grader.
This is a great non stop adventure book! It also mixes a lot of fun facts and pictures about Ireland so there is some secret learning that can be had along the way. The chapters alternate between the boys, Wyatt the scientist, and Gannon the one more interested in culture, history and humanities, so you get a well rounded look at the subject. But both boys love travel, and adventure, but trouble seems to follow them everywhere they go. This book will keep you on your toes with the insane mystery, action, thugs, being lost in the forest, falconry (Oscar is the coolest), and all the great information on Ireland that will make you wish you were there yourself. The book is awesome for anyone who likes nonstop action, and anyone who is interested in travel to foreign places. This is a great book and series for any middle grader.
March 24, 2015
This is my first experience with the Gannon and Wyatt adventures, and I was drawn to this book because of its setting in Ireland. This book follows the fictional journal-entry type accounts of twin boys, Gannon and Wyatt, as they explore Ireland. The thing I loved about this book is that it was like reading about someone’s experience in the Emerald Isle. The entries are packed with information about Ireland that you would experience if you were to go there yourself. It was fun to get a taste of that land. I’d say the authors’ goals of giving a taste of world travel as well as attention to global issues (harmful farming practices) is definitely a focus of this book. What makes this book stand out is it teaches about Ireland without the dryness of a travel guide, substituting instead a fictional character account of actual things you’d come across in Ireland. It was interesting to find that the Youth Exploration Society is an actual thing, and there is a web series with Gannon and Wyatt. My only critique is I did have a harder time becoming invested with the storyline; however, I did keep reading because I was interested in the land they were visiting. I’d recommend it for youth (middle grade) who are interested in getting a taste of Ireland, aren’t able to go themselves, and don’t want to read a travel guide. The pictures throughout were fun. I was given an ARC copy from NetGalley.
April 1, 2015
Fans of Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures and Young Indiana Jones will relish this novel for young readers. Filled with adventure, humor, pictures, and world culture it will capture the attention of even the most determined non-reader. Gannon and Wyatt are twins and thanks to their parents jet-setting lifestyle they get to travel the globe. Their latest adventure lands them in Ireland. They start off the trip with their parents by sightseeing some castles, kissing the Blarney Stone, and seeing the countryside. After a week of fun they decide to work on an Irish farm learning the ropes of sheep shearing, peat cutting, and potato farming. It's hard work but they learn to "enjoy" it when they meet the farmer's pretty daughter. Everything seems to be going well until they discover that the farmer's neighbor is factory farmer and is polluting the countryside. Together they decide to do something about it, never realizing the trouble they are about to get themselves into.
A great reader for kids grades 3 through 6 or homeschooled students (Gannon and Wyatt are both homeschooled). It's educational, enlightening, humorous, and captivating.
I received this book for free from Library Thing Giveaways in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
A great reader for kids grades 3 through 6 or homeschooled students (Gannon and Wyatt are both homeschooled). It's educational, enlightening, humorous, and captivating.
I received this book for free from Library Thing Giveaways in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
May 15, 2015
These are two globetrotting twin brothers who get to use the world as their school, thanks to their adventurous globetrotting parents. One who happens to be a painter and the other who just happens to be a flight attendant. They like to learn about the characters and the cultures they visit. The book is part of a series and based on the real life exploits of Gannon and Wyatt Wheeler. And their mom just happens to be a co-author of the series. You can even find videos of their real life journeys and watch how they interact with each situation they face. It's filled with fun, humor and a whole lot of wit. The brothers couldn't be any more different if they tried. One likes science and the other is kind of into people and their surroundings and he find science excruciatingly boring. Both are quirky in their habits but they were a fun read. So if you get a chance check out this book and if you haven't read the series check them out and you might learn something you didn't know about before.
March 11, 2015
Gannon and Wyatt are twin brothers, and are off to Ireland for their next adventure.
The Irish culture is well captured in this novel, as the two adventurers visit castles, see the shipyard where the Titanic was built, and see statues of the famous authors whose homeland is Ireland. From learning to kiss the The Blarney Stone to wilderness survival, this 5th book of the series captures the younger reader's attention through adventure and learning. Gannon and Wyatt utilize their individual talents, personalities, and critical thinking skills throughout the book.
The authors do an outstanding job of introducing the world to young readers from an ecological perspective. A clear message is sent to the elementary aged reader that our environment is fragile, and that nature thrives on balance.
March 12, 2015
Given To Me For An Honest Review
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland by Patti Wheeler and Keith Henstret is a part of a series of travel books about twins who travel the world with their parents. In this book they have traveled to Ireland. They are keeping a jounal of their trip and are to do volunteer work to keep in touch with their Irish roots. Inside you will find lots of information about Ireland. There are great illustrations along with fun facts. It even explains "secret learning". This would be a good book to be used for those who homeschool their child(ren). If your child enjoys non-stop action and is interested in travel to foreign places this book would be a great addition to their library. I recommend this book to everyone. I look for more of these books from Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstret.
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland by Patti Wheeler and Keith Henstret is a part of a series of travel books about twins who travel the world with their parents. In this book they have traveled to Ireland. They are keeping a jounal of their trip and are to do volunteer work to keep in touch with their Irish roots. Inside you will find lots of information about Ireland. There are great illustrations along with fun facts. It even explains "secret learning". This would be a good book to be used for those who homeschool their child(ren). If your child enjoys non-stop action and is interested in travel to foreign places this book would be a great addition to their library. I recommend this book to everyone. I look for more of these books from Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstret.
January 20, 2024
This book was trying desperately hard to be teach about a country, tell an adventure story about two brothers and also make some political commentaries. I just could not get into it although I gave it about 50 pages. The book comes off like a fictionally-inspired travel guide and while this may have been interesting to a middle grade reader who knows nothing about Ireland, it got annoying quickly.
This seems like the kind of book that teachers would love and students would tolerate as part of required reading in school.
Rating: 2 stars!
Who should read it? Middle School kids that are really interested in travel or trying to learn about a country.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review courtesy of the publisher.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
This seems like the kind of book that teachers would love and students would tolerate as part of required reading in school.
Rating: 2 stars!
Who should read it? Middle School kids that are really interested in travel or trying to learn about a country.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review courtesy of the publisher.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
December 15, 2015
This series would be great for young readers interested in adventure and who have an interest in travel and learning about other countries. I love the journal style which alternates the narration between the two brothers (though for older readers, this convention can push the bounds of reality for the story), and the photographs throughout the story. It's great visually and tells a tale that young readers may enjoy.
If you're not the intended audience, the story feels a little heavy handed, and the characters rather flat. Not for me now, but I might have loved it when I was 10. I may pass this on to one of my nephews.
If you're not the intended audience, the story feels a little heavy handed, and the characters rather flat. Not for me now, but I might have loved it when I was 10. I may pass this on to one of my nephews.
April 25, 2015
Wyatt and Gannon find themselves in Ireland, and after some touring with their parents, they volunteer to work on a small farm for a month – little do they know how hard the work will be – spreading manure in the rain? – nor fo they know they will find a huge factory farm upstream, not only cruelly treating their animals – but also polluting the river and air.
Gutsy Gannon and research minded Wyatt take matters in hand when the farm they’re working on is in jeopardy, but face trouble and danger when they do.
Do they succeed in helping their farmer friend and his daughter? Read this fast moving adventure and find out - you wont be disappoited!
Gutsy Gannon and research minded Wyatt take matters in hand when the farm they’re working on is in jeopardy, but face trouble and danger when they do.
Do they succeed in helping their farmer friend and his daughter? Read this fast moving adventure and find out - you wont be disappoited!
July 27, 2015
If I was younger, I would be all over this series! Great choice for the 9-12 age group. At my current age, I can appreciate the story but will not be reading the rest of the series.
Gannon and Wyatt are two teenagers traveling the world with their parents, having adventures and saving the environment as they go. This installment is set on the Emerald Isle (my favorite!) and is not a let down. Full of intrigue and excitement, this was a fast and fun read. While not always believable, definitely worth the read for this age group.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Gannon and Wyatt are two teenagers traveling the world with their parents, having adventures and saving the environment as they go. This installment is set on the Emerald Isle (my favorite!) and is not a let down. Full of intrigue and excitement, this was a fast and fun read. While not always believable, definitely worth the read for this age group.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2015
Gannon and Wyatt have plenty of adventures traveling with their parents across the world. This time they are in Ireland.
Told in two voices a la journal style you get a sense of the distinct personalities of these two brothers. I expected excitement and suspense but the storytelling fell flat. I wanted more because this is such a rich setting. The story does make Ireland and environmental issues more understood, but I'm not convinced this will be of interest to the intended audience. I am still considering this series for my library.
Told in two voices a la journal style you get a sense of the distinct personalities of these two brothers. I expected excitement and suspense but the storytelling fell flat. I wanted more because this is such a rich setting. The story does make Ireland and environmental issues more understood, but I'm not convinced this will be of interest to the intended audience. I am still considering this series for my library.
July 25, 2015
This is a charming and adventurous tale to capture the hearts and minds of young readers. It encourages understanding of and appreciation for Irish and American cultures. Although structured as a travelogue the story is much more. The twin heroes of the story are energetic, altruistic and want to right what appears to be wrong. An excellent book which transport young readers to a foreign land that faces many similar struggles as are found back home. It shares what's similar and celebrates what is unique to the other. Well played Patti Wheeler!
July 5, 2015
This book disappointed me. Even though I love travel and Ireland this kids novel seemed less of a story than a vacation guide. If I want info about Ireland I'd rather crack open a Lonely Planet or Fodor's than read what two smartypants boys have to say about the things they discover or know.
And I was very much bothered that when a farming ecological crisis occurs, only two American children are capable of saving the day. All the adults, scientists, farmers, etc. in Ireland have less skills than these two boys! I hope the other books in this series are better.
And I was very much bothered that when a farming ecological crisis occurs, only two American children are capable of saving the day. All the adults, scientists, farmers, etc. in Ireland have less skills than these two boys! I hope the other books in this series are better.
April 8, 2015
What a fun and refreshing book seen through the eyes of Gannon and Wyatt. Each with their own interest and told from their point of view. Descriptions are vivid and you really get a feel for the country they are in. I simply loved this book.
I received this from LibraryThing Early Reviewer for an honest review.
I received this from LibraryThing Early Reviewer for an honest review.
April 26, 2015
This is part of an amazing series for young readers. It is the fourth book in this series that I've read and is every bit as interesting and well-written as the previous three books. I think all elementary and middle school libraries, as well as public libraries, should include this series in their collections.
May 25, 2015
A great adventure, travel series for pre-teens. The story is told through journal entries made by the brothers. Wonderful quotes from famous people are incorporated into the story. Real pictures of the places the twins visit help the reader visualize exactly what the story is talking about. Taking care of the world around you is an underlying theme of the book.
April 1, 2015
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland was a fun read, ideal for middle school aged readers. It was written in a journal style of writing. The Adventures of the boys helping the farm gave hope for the younger generation. Thanks to Goodreads First Reads for the opportunity to experience it.
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