Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood

The year is 1891. Harry Fogg, precocious son of the infamous Phileas Fogg, is trying to find his way in the world.  Harry is a dreamer, an inventor and a free-spirit.  Harry's father seems to have forgotten his own free-spirited adventures and he expects something a little more grounded from his own son.  

Harry has different plans.

In the true impulsive nature of a dreamer, Harry wagers that his newfangled, self-propelled automobile can travel around the world in 100 days.  Harry makes a wager with some men, makes a deal with his father and finds himself racing to keep his own ideas about his life. 

In a strange turn of events Harry and his best friend Johnny end up being accompanied by a duo anxious to watch the entire journey, Charles and Elizabeth. 

Will Harry make it around the world?  Will he live up to his father's expectations?  Will he decide his place in the world?

With so many twists and turns in the novel, the one sure thing to say is that readers should expect the unexpected.  

I hope that you read and enjoy Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood!

Some side notes about Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood:

I'm always a little dubious when I consider a book that has been written as a companion piece to a classic novel. I decided to give this book a try for a couple reasons. 1. I am a huge fan of Gary Blackwood's Shakespeare Stealer 2. Around the World in 100 Days also comes as a Junior Library Guild book selection. I was pleasantly surprised and engaged in the book. With a lexile level of 870, this book is a slightly easier read than the Jules Verne Classic, Around the World in 80 Days.  I was not disappointed.  This book is a great story!