Aboard the Train: A Ewan Johns Adventure: 2 (Byways)

Ewans plans fall apart when he stumbles across two stowaways.Magic isnt the only legacy Mr. Ian Johns wants for his bickering sons. The Postmaster hoped the boys would bond during a family trip but they twist his vacation plans into a race. Ewan Zane and Ganix soon find themselves far from home facing choices that are far from easy. Three routes stretch from coast to coast. The rules: each brother--and his two companions--must check in at post offices along their route. At these waypoints they stamp in with their personal seal and report their progress by postcard. Book #2 Aboard the Train is Ewans first solo adventure. Having chosen the northern route the eldest Johns brother is bound for Libertys mountains. He takes the train confident that hell have a quick comfortable ride to the finish line. But when Ewan stumbles upon two stowaways they force him to change his plans. The Byways books are a coming-of-age story times three with an educational twist. The storyline includes a states-based geography quest.Welcome to Liberty: Big cities and hill-country outposts thrive on busy byways but people are scarce in the Wilds where mythical creatures are alive and well. Folks commonly use lanterns to light their homes and peace is kept by rangers on horseback. In the Byways books readers will encounter dragons griffins river monsters and rogue magicians. Magic is a rare trait that runs in families. Some magical gifts are quite useful; others are downright quirky. Like the talent inherited by members of the Johns family. Theyre Changers who can take the form of an animal. Not that magic will make winning the race any easier for Ewan Zane and Ganix.Educational Twist: Each of the Byways books is tied to one of the fifty states and borrows from its history and geography--icons mottos landmarks people places and famous firsts. Theyre hidden throughout the story turning the series into one long game of hide-and-seek. At the end of each Byways book theres a master list that covers everything from the state tree to the state insect. Nicknames sports teams state heroes and national parks also find their way into the story. States are covered in order of ratification. Aboard the Train takes its cues from The Keystone State Pennsylvania.I homeschooled my children and they would have loved Byways. The books are a fun way for parents and kids to learn about history and geography not to mention appreciation of the intricate whimsical art. --Vanessa Morton The ScribleriansChart your course to CJMilbrandt.com where readers can stamp into the Waypoint Log and take part in a very special Hometown Challenge.