Around the World in Eighty Days

Here’s a classic I have never read – until this weekend. I found it in the homeschool box, realized the kids all had to read it and thought I’d better read it, too.

Who knew Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne would be so captivating?

Maybe you did, but I didn’t! This book would be a great read aloud with a world map. I particularly enjoyed the trip across the US, because the group traveled through Nebraska in a rather unusual way.

The trip starts in London as a wager between Phileas Fogg and his friends. His newly hired servant is shocked into accompanying him on the adventure. A London detective becomes involved and then an Indian woman joins the group.

Throughout the journey, Fogg overcomes unexpected problems in quite unusual ways – with the help of a quite large roll of banknotes.

I quite enjoyed the story – and was surprised by the ending – in more ways than one!