Henry Reeds Journey

These Henry Reed books were some of the first books I have ever read, and I enjoyed them much, and of course I wished there were more than three (there are, but the newer ones weren't available back then). Every time our family went to the library I would go directly to the Keith Robertson section and see if there were any new titles. They are the typical children's novels, a smart boy figures out things the adults around him are unable to. The best is *Henry Reeds Journey* - a picaresque. I recently went back and reread what I first consider the first "real" book I read while I was a child: *The Year of the Jeep* also by Keith Robertson. considered it my first real book because it didn't have any illustrations, even on the cover (in the copy I originally borrowed from the Oak Lawn Library.) I have a review of it here, somewhere. (If you are an adult) I would strongly advise going back and finding the "first book I ever read" and rereading it. Fun.

...However, this collection of Henry and Midge's adventures hasn't aged quite as well as the best in the series: Henry Reed, Inc. and Henry Reed's Babysitting Service. I would recommend those two first, and if you enjoy them you will likely appreciate Henry Reed's Journey as well. My daughters loved the Henry Reed books (at ages 8 through about 12).

Henry Reed's Journey is a book about Henry Reed, the son of a traveling diplomat, and his travels across the United States. He meets his friend Midge Glass, from the summer before (read Henry Reed, Inc. first), and travels with her family all over the United States. Midge's father believes that whenever Henry is around, strange things happen, which is true, although it is not Hnery's fault. Henry and Midge's adventures include starting a gold rush, being accepted into a Native American tribe, and buying tons of fireworks, only to see them be accidentally set off when they got home. This was a wonderful book, but you should the first book, Henry Reed, Inc. first. If you don't, you will become confused of what Henry is referring to when he refers to the summer before. Go out and get this book!