Review of "The Adventures of Bubba Jones: Time Traveling Through Shenandoah National Park," by Jeff Alt

Review of

The Adventures of Bubba Jones: Time Traveling Through Shenandoah National Park, by Jeff Alt ISBN 9780825308314

Five out of five stars

 Although this is a work of fiction, it contains a great deal of educational facts. While his real name is Tommy, the title character goes by the name “Bubba Jones” and his sister Jenny is called “Hug-a-Bug.” Their family heirloom is the ability to travel through time and Bubba Jones has inherited the skill. Members of the extended family are on an adventure in the Shenandoah National Park and the reader is introduced to the features of the park as well as some of the primary motivators for its creation.

 The family visits some of the historical features of the trail and they use their skills at traveling through time to go back and learn more about the development of the trail. One of the features of the ability to travel through time is that the travelers are automatically dressed in clothing appropriate for the time period and the occasion. Something that is quite convenient, for they can immediately fit in.

 A secondary plot device and one that could have been left out with no significant loss is that some family members are working on a project that involves national security. This introduces the keeping of secrets as well as the use of simplistic secret codes.

 This book could serve as a primer for families preparing to visit the Appalachian Trail (AT). It is a fun book to read and will give them a great deal of perspective on the AT as well as some history of the region. Reading it will also generate an interest among people of all ages to see at least some of it. 

This book was made available for free for review purposes.