Any suggestions for a book on tape the whole family can enjoy/.

[emelsea]

I will be trapped...I mean stuck...I mean bonding with my two boys (ages 14 and almost 4) for 16 hours in the car.

We've listened to all the HP books. Can anyone suggest another book that will entertain all of us? Something that won't make my 14yo roll his eyes and immediately stick his ear buds in and tune out?

Someone else suggested Marley and Me, but I can't have a tear jerker. I'll be doing the driving and I don't want to have to pull over to bawl.

[kate~mom]

well, we don't have a 14 year old (just a seven-going-on-fourteen-year-old), but on a recent trip, we did the chronicles of narnia - that might work for you. we also did because of winn dixie, which i legitimately enjoyed - it was a great story. not sure it would work for a 14 yo boy, though.

[philomom]

Try Tamora Pierce's series about Alanna. It is a winner. She pretends to be her brother Allan to attend knight school and magic and adventure abounds. The whole family here loved them.

[Katie Bugs Mama]

What about something by Cornelia Funke?

[vbactivist]

you might try "The Indian in the Cupboard" - it's read by the author and very exciting - even for grownups - it's hands down the best book on tape I've ever heard and my family listens to about 100 a year, not exaggerating.

or you could try something like "swiss family robinson" or "peter pan" (the original)

[cloudspinning]

Originally Posted by Katie Bugs Mama

What about something by Cornelia Funke?

I second this. I drove from Alaska to Seattle with a 7 year old girl, a 4 year old boy and my 27 year old (male) cousin; we listened to Dragon Rider twice, we all liked it so much. For about a year afterward we listened to it several more times. Your 14 year old might not admit to liking it, but I bet he will listen.

Good luck!
cloudspinning

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by philomom

Try Tamora Pierce's series about Alanna. It is a winner. She pretends to be her brother Allan to attend knight school and magic and adventure abounds. The whole family here loved them.

: Or her Circle of Magic books.

[TEAK's Mom]

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card could be fun. I also agree with the suggestion of Cornelia Funke.

[aprons_and_acorns]

Maybe something by Roald Dahl?

[Lil'M]

My girls and I are currently listening to Andrew Clement's "Lunch Money" in the car. His books are well written and easy even for an adult to listen to.

[rsps]

Swallows and Amazons books, but they are had to get on tape/cd in the US(mostly only available in UK)

[Bad Horse]

You could always do the Hitchhiker's Guide

[emelsea]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We ended up listening to All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. I found it at our thrift store for $1. I've read the books dozens of times, and the BOT was really enjoyable to listen to. My 14yo loves animals, so this was right up his alley, and my younger DS seemed to like it, too.

[plantmama]

I loved the James Herriot books on tape when I was young...also Gerald Durell (sp?) was a fave in a sort of similar genre.

Just wanted to warn that from my memories of Alana there is quite a bit of sex in the books after the first book. Am I remembering right? Maybe I read them too young and was shocked, don't know?

[lorijds]

Searching (Looking? can't exactly remember) for Bobowicz, by Daniel Pinkwater. Holy cow, he reads it himself, and he is frickin hilarious. It is absurd, with crazy situations and over the top characters. It is one of our favorites, and it appeals to most ages. Four is awfully young, though. I think it will be difficult to find anything that a 4 year old can listen to, but that also would interest a 14 year old. Good luck with that!