I call shotgun!

That’s right, it’s time for a little road trip with Kidsmomo! Okay, fine, we’re not actually going anywhere. But our latest podcast is all about books featuring road trips. PLUS, Nancy’s most embarrassing road trip memory and Karen’s worst puns yet!

  (15:08)
Download the MP3 (14.5MB)
• Our mystery book characters want to see Plymouth, Karen wants to see leaves, and Nancy doesn’t want anyone to see her face
• Our road trip lit picks (Walk Two Moons and Becoming Naomi Leon)
• A kid-submitted book rec (Call Me Hope)
• PUNS!

And when you’re done listening, don’t forget: our next theme is spooky and supernatural books! So watch our latest Mystery Book Theater video and check out these creepy books perfect for Halloween or any time you want a good scare.

— Nancy and Karen

This book trailer for United Tates of America was originally the Mystery Book Theater video for our Road Trip theme. For more on United Tates of America, check out our “Hit the Road, Jack” podcast. Or load it onto your iPod for your next long car ride! (It’s better than listening to your parents’ music picks, we promise.)

Are we there yet? Why are you hitting yourself? I know you are, but what am I?

Ah, the sweet melodies of a family car ride. You probably know them well — perhaps you’ve even contributed. Oh, who are you kidding, you’ve definitely contributed. Watch our video and see how your hands-on experience compares to the road trip in United Tates of America by Paula Danziger!

There are plenty of movies and TV shows involving road trips, and even a famous song dedicated to driving across America (you’ve probably heard of it — “Route 66″). But let’s not forget the books! This is Kidsmomo, after all… So, check out these books containing road trips (in no particular order):

1. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (Karen’s pick)
2. Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Nancy’s pick)
3. Hit the Road by by Caroline B. Cooney
4. The Vacation by Polly Horvath
5. Dizzy by Cathy Cassidy
6. Amelia’s Are-We-There-Yet Longest Ever Car Trip by Marissa Moss
7. The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
8. The Melanie Martin books by Carol Weston

If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review and we may read it our podcast. Or send in a review of your favorite book that includes a road trip!

UPDATE 10/26/09: We revealed the answer to our road trip Mystery Book Theater in the “Hit the Road, Jack” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer — or if you just want to hear Nancy’s most embarrassing road trip memory!