Adventures with the Parkers
An Adventure Series in the National Parks
Summer vacation has never been this fun!
Now part
of the
Accelerated Reader
Program !
2008
Finalist One Book Arizona Kid's Selection
2007
Teachers' Choice Award, Learning Magazine
2006
Finalist Best Children's Fiction Category, USABooks.com
Join the Parkers, an intrepid family of four, as
they adventure into the national parks. Nearly ten year old twins, Morgan
and James, explore the natural and historic wonders of such destinations
as: Bryce, Zion, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky
Mountains, Olympic, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, the Badlands, Wind Cave, Mount
Rushmore, Arches, Canyonlands, Acadia, Grand Teton, and Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Along the way, the family meets other
travelers, rangers, and colorful characters pertaining to each park.
Adventures with the Parkers- a
13 book series for kids and families- is packed with
action and excitement, as well as interesting facts about plants and animals,
geology, the history of the parks, wilderness safety, and environmental and
preservation issues effecting the parks. The books also offer tips and
information on travel plans, great places top hike, ranger programs, historic
points of interest, and much, much more.
Each book in the series contains
maps and full color photographs that represent a possible family's journey.
The books are realistic fiction- everything that the family experiences could
happen in real life, or maybe did happen to someone and the details were changed
to fit the characters.
The
Parkers books are a great way to get to know the national park you are planning
to visit, or they also make a perfect souvenir for your stay in the park.
Either way, you'll have a fantastic outdoor adventure with you wherever you go
while reading these books.
"The Adventures with the Parkers books are just remarkable and we are
enjoying them immensely. Our family has been lucky enough to have been able
to travel to each of those 12 parks in the series. Reading each of the books
is like going back for another visit. They include the history of the
places, the wonderful things found there, and wonderful pictures. They are
as enjoyable to me as an adult as they are to our grandchildren. We can't
wait for the next Parker adventure! Thank you for hours of enjoyment."
Karen
Forcum and Medora- Mode, Illinois
Danger
in the Narrows: Bryce and Zion National Parks
Join the Parkers as they embark
on their first national park adventure. Twins, Morgan and James,
explore the natural wonders of Bryce and Zion, journeying among the
hoodoos and sleeping beneath the stars. But the trip takes a turn
for the worse in the treacherous Zion Narrows- can they rescue Dad from
a dangerous fall?
ISBN 978-0-7627-7974-1
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
"My wife and I recently took our 3rd grade daughter on a trip to Grand
Canyon and Zion National Parks. We found 2 of the "Parkers" books in the Zion
Visitor's Center and got them for our daughter. After she finished the first
book, she very excitedly came to her mother and I to tell us about how good it
was!!! Very high praise indeed...She also informed us that this author should be
one that her school invites to their annual Literacy Festival where the school
invites a couple of authors in with their works to speak to the kids. The school
principal let me know this is the first time a kid has suggested a particular
author. High praise indeed." Amazon Book Review, G. Williams, Sandy, UT
"...will
inspire kids to learn about natural science and engage them in stories that
involve rescues and danger." Sandy Meagher, K-8 Teacher
Eye
of the Whale: Acadia National Park
In this installment of FalconGuide's Adventures with the
Parkers series, the Parkers journey to Acadia National Park in Maine
where they explore the beautiful coastal waters and hike many of the
park's finest trails, including to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the
first place in the U.S. to see the sun rise every morning. They decide
to end their trip by camping on an island within the national park, but
when Mom tries to kayak back to the mainland, she gets beached on a
remote island--and quickly discovers she is not the only one stranded
there!
ISBN 978-0-7627-8262-8
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
"After a long flight from California, the Parkers are ready to see all the sites of Acadia National Park. With the guidance of the park rangers, the Parkers hike several challenging trails, bike the old carriage roads, watch the local sea life, explore nearby islands, and snack on wild blueberries growing all over the park. During their excursions, Mrs. Parker joins an old college friend to kayak around several of the islands. However, their kayaking trip is interrupted when the two friends come across a young beached whale.
Graf creates the ideal Acadia guide for families who have wondered what this national park has to offer. With several photographs, watercolor illustrations, and park maps, readers can follow the Parkers trails as they tour and camp around the park. Graf also showcases several of family-friendly programs offered by park rangers, like searching tide pools, learning how a beach is created, and experiencing the Dive-Inn Theater. This book will whet readers vacationing appetites to see this amazing national park firsthand." Tessa McMillan, Book Reviewer, Children's Compass Chronicle
Going
to the Sun: Glacier National Park
In the eighth book in the Adventure
with the Parkers series, the Parkers visit Glacier National Park in
Montana. As they enjoy the waterfalls and uniquely sculpted mountains
while the park's glaciers glimmer above them, the Parkers learn that
because of global warming, the glaciers may not last that much longer.
During their family hikes they encounter a lot of wildlife, including
moose, mountain goats, and grizzly bears, but the smoke and flames of
summer fires may thwart their vacation plans. Will Dad be able to
bike over Going-to-the-Sun Road in celebration of his fortieth birthday?
ISBN 978-0-7627-7964-2
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
Going
Underground: Mount Rushmore, Badlands, Wind Cave
Join the Parkers as they go
underground at Wind Cave, experience severe thunderstorms in the Badlands, and
witness poachers illegally taking fossilized bones. What will happen when
the family spots the criminals on the Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore a few
days later?
ISBN 978-0-7627-7968-0
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
Harrowing
Ascent of Half Dome: Yosemite National Park
The Parkers hit the trail once again,
this time in Yosemite, one of the country's most popular parks. In
Yosemite, James and Morgan take in the beauty of the sequoia trees, hike
alongside waterfalls and even attempt an ascent of the cables.
Will they make it to the top of the infamous Half Dome?
ISBN 978-0-7627-7973-4
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
"This
adventure story is filled with interesting information about the parks,
pictures, maps, and diagrams that help explain the landscape, climate, and
topography of the area. An appealing array of nature sketches and
depictions of the Parkers in action also appears throughout." Delia
Carruthers, School Library Journal
In
the Land of Standing Rocks: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
In this adventure the Parkers journey
to southeast Utah to see the "Land of Standing Rocks" and such prominent
features as Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Park Avenue Skyline, the
Needles, and much more. They encounter mountain lions, a
dive-bombing blue jay, and wicked desert weather along the way, but it's
not until James makes a surprising discovery that they really connect
with the region's colorful history.
ISBN 978-0-7627-7962-8
109 pages, Published by FalconGuides
Peril
on Longs Peak: Rocky Mountain National Park
In the seventh book in the Adventure
with the Parkers series, the family heads to Colorado to visit the high
peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. When the snow clears, the
parks many famous sights are on display: Trail Ridge Road, spectacular
wildflowers, elk, waterfalls, and unique alpine tundra. The
family's big adventure? A hike up Longs Peak, a Colorado "fourteener."
But afternoon storms begin to pelt the family during their training
hikes, and they begin to question the wisdom of a nighttime summit
ascent.
ISBN 978-0-7627-7970-3
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
Ridge
Runner Rescue: The Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
With their great-grandfather's
journal as their guide, Morgan and James head east to the most visited
national park in the country: the Great Smoky Mountains. The twins
and their parents backpack twenty-six miles along the Appalachian Trail,
learning the park's unusual history and experiencing its amazing
diversity- spotting both the synchronized fireflies and the world's
largest salamander. But will the adventure end when Morgan comes
down with a mysterious illness?
ISBN 978-0-7627-7966-6
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
The following are links to reviews for Ridge
Runner Rescue:
Review by
Terri Schlichenmeyer
Review by
Diane Chen
Secrets
of the Sequoias: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Take your kids on an adventure with the
Parker family to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California.
Sequoias are the largest trees in the world- imagine a tree that's one and a
half times bigger than a Boeing 747! And it grows from a tiny seed the
size of an oatmeal flake! How does a sequoia grow so big? Tag along
with the Parkers- twins James and Morgan and their parents - and learn all about
sequoias as they hike among the giant trees, explore dark caves, scramble up
huge granite domes, and cool off in the spray from amazing waterfalls.
They even climb to the top of 14,494-foot Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the
lower forty-eight states. There's a new adventure at every turn, from
encountering black bears to meeting an old man who lives in a giant log!
Lace up your hiking boots and join James and Morgan as they uncover the
Secrets of the Sequoias!
ISBN 978-1560376569
160 pages, Published by Farcountry Press
Tale
of the Scorpion: Grand Canyon National
Park
The Parkers are back for another
adventure in the Grand Canyon. Morgan and James brave a steep
twenty-one mile hike from rim to rim. As they face heatstroke,
exhaustion, and even a run-in with scorpions, they wonder, "Can we
make the grueling climb to the top?"
ISBN 978-0-7627-7965-9
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
"I have been talking about hiking the Grand
Canyon with my 9 year old grandson. (His mom did the hike with me when she was
nine) This book is great in it's detail about what adults and youngsters both
see and experience when doing the hike. What children imagine the hike is like
and what actually transpires are not exactly the same. It's not as easy as they
imagine! But the rewards are worth the effort!" Amazon Book Review, C. Murphy
"This is a great book to entertain
children while learning about America's National Parks. The family interaction
within the book is loving and caring." Amazon Book Review, J.S. Sanford, Los
Angeles, CA
"A fun
book for older children or for parents to read to their younger children.
Great story, educational value, and visuals!" USABookNews.com
The
Eye of the Grizzly: Yellowstone National Park
Join the Parkers as they explore the
wonders of America's first national park, Yellowstone. While in
Yellowstone, Morgan and James marvel over the geysers, thermal pools,
and the vast array of wildlife. But when they come face to face
with a grizzly, what will they do?
ISBN 978-0-7627-7972-7
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
"The author came to visit our 8 year old's
class (in Nevada) during Reading Week. Our son raved about the book being read,
so we bought it. We found the book to be exciting and kept our son's attention
all the way through. He enjoyed the descriptions about the animals and the
national park. When he was finished, our son said he wanted to visit the park
and all the national parks. (It doesn't get better than that!). We then bought
all the other books in the series and read them all (Tail of the Scorpion (Grand
Canyon), Harrowing Ascent up Half Dome (Yosemite), and Danger in the Narrows
(Zion/Bryce). The books weave in themes about the environment, protecting the
environment, and how people with disabilities use our parks. Highly recommend
this series. We are waiting for the next one to come out!" Amazon Book Review,
Barbara Buckley, Las Vegas, NV
"A
dramatic family adventure through the only national park equal to its fame:
Yellowstone. Visiting burbling geysers and viewing wildlife galore create
lots of things for the Parker twins to write about in their journals. But
it is their family backpack trip into the backcountry that brings them face to
face with Mother Nature and the eyes of a grizzly bear. Great writing by
Mr. Graf put me on the edge of my seat." Marsha Holland, literacy coordinator,
Garfield County Volunteer Center, Tropic, Utah
To
the
Top of the Grand: Grand Teton National Park
In this latest installment of
FalconGuide's Adventures with the Parkers series, the Parkers journey to
Grand Teton National Park. While there they see moose, grizzly bears,
elk and other animals while hiking the Teton Crest Trail, one of the
most beautiful backpacks in the country. But when the parents hire a
guide and attempt to scale the Grand Teton, things get dicey in the
extreme mountain environment. Will they make it safely to the top--and
back down again?
ISBN 978-0-7627-8274-1
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
Touch
of the Tide Pool, Crack of the Glacier: Olympic National Park
Join the Parkers as they journey to
Olympic National Park in the Pacific Northwest, where they explore the
tide pools along the coast, hike through Olympic's dense rain forest,
and experience the famed alpine scenery and immense glaciers.
Treacherous mountain terrain could stop them in their tracks.
Could it prove to be ultimately too dangerous?
ISBN 978-0-7627-7969-7
96 pages, Published by FalconGuides
Additional Links:
Adventures with the Parkers Book Review: The Oregonian, by Terry Richard
FalconGuides will help young teens get the most from visits to national parks
Adventures with the Parkers Teachers Guide:
This Teacher’s Guide is meant to give direction to teachers who want to use the Adventures with the Parkers books as part of their
curriculum.
National Park Classroom
Activites:
http://www.nps.gov/heho/forteachers/upload/National_Park_Fair.pdf