It has been said by many librarians that the Harry Potter books "with their creative character development and imaginative plots" brought youngsters back to reading books. In that same light, Jeff Alt's creative new book,The Adventures of Bubba Jones: Time Traveling Through the Great Smoky Mountains, holds the promise of bringing kids back to nature and the great outdoors. Alt, ... Read morea fine writer and a skilled outdoorsman, has created a wonder world for young readers in this lively historical fiction set in the misty peaks and hollows of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Blending geology, biology, history, fantasy ,and outdoor adventure, Alt's endearing characters take young readers on a magical "time-travel" through the Smokies. Along the way, they'll have a cracking good read while also learning a lot
Arthur McDade, Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger (ret.), and the author of "Old Smoky Mountain Days," "The Natural Arches of the Big South Fork", and a contributor to "The Encyclopedia of Appalachia" Kids (and grown-ups) will love this adventurous time-traveling tour of the Great Smoky Mountains. Jeff Alt has woven the science and history of the Smokies into a family adventure that's so fun-filled kids won't even realize how much they are learning! Can't wait for the next book!
Emily Morgan, author of the "Next Time You See" picture book series and co-author of "Picture-Perfect Science Lessons" The use of 'time-travel' in the Great Smokies is a delightful way to interpret the area, and a method of factual presentation which captures the reader's interest most effectively. It is evident that Jeff Alt has done exhaustive research, and has presented the characters truthfully, and with respect. The family characters that Jeff Alt created show a sincere, genuine, and respectful interest in the people that they meet in time travel. I like the discussion questions that are presented. They stand to be an outstanding educational tool for teachers
Joe Kelley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger (ret.) and co-author of "Meigs Line" Alt blends backpacking with The Magic Tree House. Bubba Jones and his family have the ability to travel through time. They use these powers to explore Great Smoky Mountain National Park, from its early settlers, to its logging days, to its park inauguration. This clever spin on children's outdoor literature is sure to make every kid want to hit the trail.
Catherina Leipold, Backpacker Magazine If you like adventures, mysteries, and learning new things, then read this book!
Bekah H., 4th grader, age 10 Alt blends backpacking with The Magic Tree House. Bubba Jones and his family have the ability to travel through time. They use these powers to explore Great Smoky Mountain National Park, from its early settlers, to its logging days, to its park inauguration. This clever spin on children's outdoor literature is sure to make every kid want to hit the trail.
Catherina Leipold, Backpacker Magazine Tommy "Bubba Jones" and his sister Jenny "Hug-a-Bug" learn more about the Great Smoky Mountain National Park than they ever thought they would when Papa Lewis lets them in on a family secret: The family has legendary time traveling skills! With these abilities, Bubba Jones and Hug-a-Bug travel back in time and meet the park's founders, its earliest settlers, native Cherokee Indians, wild animals, extinct creatures, and what the park was like millions of years ago. With this time traveling ability also comes a family mystery, but the only person who can help solve the mystery is a long lost relative who lives somewhere in the park. Explore the Smokies with Bubba Jones and family in a whole new way in the pages of Jeff Alt's "The Adventures of Bubba Jones: Time Traveling Through the Great Smoky Mountains". Very highly recommended for school and community libraries for young readers ages 8 to 12.
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