The Incredible Journey

The Incredible Journey

By Sheila Burnford

We just unpacked new copies of this classic. If you are looking for an award winning adventure story The Incredible Journey is for you! 

Three unlikely friends; two dogs and a cat, need to get back to their owner and family they love. The three animals are put to many tests as they do their best to survive the wild. From dangerous animals to torturous terrain, the three help each other and work together, inspiring for readers of any age.

Winner of the Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year for Children, Sheila Burnford has written a timeless classic. This novel was first published in 1960 and has been reprinted several times over the decades. I discovered it when I was around 12 years old and read it again as a teen when the 1990’s movie adaptation came out (Homeward Bound). There is also a 1960’s movie adaptation called The Incredible Journey, it is instantly available for RPL cardholders to stream from Hoopla.

Warning to everyone; there are some stressful moments, tears might be shed but there are also some wonderful moments. A well written story of friendship, endurance and perseverance. If you are looking for talking animals though there are none here, sorry. Sheila Burnford has made sure to create realistic versions of animal behavior and her descriptions of the scenery is sure to whisk the reader away.

Find this on the shelves at your local branch or place a hold today.

Like Magic

by Elaine Vickers

A wise librarian nurtures friendship between three ten-year-old girls experiencing significant changes in their young lives. Grace's best friend has moved away and now she cannot find the ability to speak. Jada has just moved to Salt Lake City with her father because of his new teaching job. Malia's mother is in the hospital expecting a baby, and Malia worries about her place in the family and her mom's health. When Grace visits the library to find paper stars she folded with her best friend Katie, Hazel the librarian leads her to the lost and found drawer. Hazel presents Grace with a locked book titled "AMICITIA", Latin for friendship. Grace promises to keep the book safe and return it to Hazel after she discovers a way to open it. This locked book turns out to be a treasure box with a short verse explaining to share a personal treasure that someone else who borrows the box will find. Grace decides to share a poem which is "found" by Jada. The poem gives Jada an idea for a painting since she is an artist and she leaves a postcard painting behind for the next girl, Malia. Malia leaves behind a CD with the song "Ave Maria" as she was reminded of her family by Jada's postcard. Each girl's special contribution to the treasure box is just the beginning to them finding one another through chance or "magical" meetings as they navigate changes that are taking place in their individual lives.