Customer Reviews

Hey Mom, Can I Ride My Bike Across America?: Five Kids Meet Their Country

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Every so often you read a book so surprisingly good, and which etches itself so indelibly in your mind, that you want to share it with everyone you know. Hey Mom is that book for me.

I came to this book looking for inspiration. Fifteen years (and two children) after my last bicycle tour, I needed something to restir and restore my travel spirit. Little did I know how much MORE than a simple travel book Hey Mom would be. It's a story of bonding into a family, of courage and guts, of growing up and of reaching arms out to hug our country. It's a supreme adventure, built mile by mile with stories of an America few of us ever experience first hand. It's a book with true soul and terrific characterizations of kids you can only grow to love. You'll be startled when, all of a sudden, you just CAN'T put this book down. When finished, you'll be in awe of how John Seigel-Boettner made a simple story about kids on bikes into a classic you'll remember forever.

Scott Boettner's story is a first-rate adventure! A middle-school history teacher and bicycle enthusiast, Scott's dream was to bring America's people and history alive to his students. His passion for his career and his love for his students is evident throughout, as he and his wife boldly set out to traverse America's country roads by bike, accompanied by 5 of his students. It is a study of youth growing up, of kids pulling together, and of the power of an inspiring teacher, who emboldens his charges with the desire and strength to make it across America while enjoying every minute. As a middle school teacher myself, I understand the excitement of inspiring this age group to achieve. Scott's tale will make you believe in the spirit of America's youth.

TV and movies are fiction. This adventure is REAL! For anyone who has ridden their bike down the street and dreamed of where it might take them. Five kids, two adults and 5000 miles from sea to shining sea. I can't count the number of emotions I felt while reading this book. Ultimately, you will feel proud. Proud of John and Lynn for leading the kids to adulthood the best way they knew how. Proud of Heather, Joy, Carl, Rabbi Ethan, and James for completing such an ardous and worthwile task. And finally, proud of the good citizens and 'angels' of our country who helped them on their way.

Having read a lot of books on bike tours,translate I did a research paper on bike touring in college. The adventures in this are the greatest. Although the tour was done about 10 years ago, the book is totally readable. Prepare for the totally unexpected and enjoy the adventures.
I just wish John or one of the other teachers in his school would write more about their adventures.

This was not a ride done in poverty, or with commercial support. Surviving a tornado alone with one other adult and 5 kids when you don't know it is coming. Fighting traffic, and weather from blistering heat to frigid cold, from no breeze to gusty winds.

Meetings with families from Plantations to a replacement tire being shown from the back of a jeep to replace a tire a young rider has being riding on held together by duct tape.

This was a great book.

I have read this particular book to my students for the last 3 years. We use it as a basis for our own Mighty Bike ride at the end of the year. A must read book for anybody who has ever thought about doing the impossible with a bunch of kids.

This is one of my favorite books. I'm an avid reader of bicycle travelogues and this one is just great. It follows a teacher and five of his young students on a cross-country bicycle ride. It's an amazing and inspiring tale. They encounter a plethora of strangers who become "life lessons" to the students. This is a great read.

i thought that this book was very good. i liked the idea and admired the courage it took for anyone to attempt such a thing. i would reccommend it to adults and kids both, because it seems like a good way to expirence America from your own home. kudos to John for his good work.

The story of two married teachers shepherding five 12-13 year old kids across country on bikes, I thought this was a really fun book to read. I couldn't help wishing I could have been one of those kids. What an education - what a way to see the country. Any story that features a bunch of kids probably has to be a bit schmaltzy, but the author keeps it to a minimum and the book moves along well, and I was sorry to see the last page. There's enough biking to keep this from being a travelogue, and enough humility on the part of the author to keep it from being just his story. I wonder what those kids think of their adventure now.

I have read several bicyle touring books but this is one of my favorites. Even though John's writing style is a little simplistic (sorry John) I still loved this book. Actually his simplistic style just adds to the mood of riding with five kids. If you are a fan of bicycle touring books this is a must read.

Great book to read to your kids. I did a little editing as I was reading it aloud (my kids are 7 and 8 years old). We picked up maps from our automobile association and traced their journey from start to finish. My kids learned about human behavior, predjudice, generosity to strangers and geography! Well, we're off on a bike ride!