Reading Group Center




Newbery Medalist Clare Vanderpool On Her New Book, Navigating Early

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool (Newbery Medalist for Moon Over Manifest) is an odyssey-like adventure of two boys’ incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail where they deal with pirates, buried secrets, and extraordinary encounters. With its rich setting and wonderfully drawn characters, it’s a great selection for parent-child reading groups! Read on for a special note to book clubs from Clare…

Hey Book Clubbers,

If you like a quest, the road less traveled, two boys hunting for a great Appalachian bear, and an amazing journey on the Appalachian Trail in Maine, then I hope you’ll enjoy Navigating Early. It has adventure, danger, and mystery. There are pirates, volcanoes, whales, and timber rattlesnakes. And if that’s not enough, there is a story revealed in the mystical numbers of pi, that never-ending number beginning with 3.14. So pick up your walking stick and join Jack and Early on their quest for hidden secrets, accidental treasures, and a few discoveries about themselves.

—Clare Vanderpool

Ready to take the journey? Click here to download a special PDF discussion guide!