Are We There Yet?: The First Road Trip Across the USA
None Series
What’s inside...
Stacy McAnulty’s lively nonfiction picture book recounts the daring 1903 adventure of Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, mechanic Sewall Crocker, and their dog Bud as they attempt the first automobile journey from San Francisco to New York City. Battling dust-choked deserts, muddy Midwestern roads, mountains without maps, and endless questions of “Are we there yet?,” the trio proves that perseverance, ingenuity, and optimism can carry travelers a very long way. Told with humor and historically accurate detail, the book offers young readers an engaging window into early automobile history and America’s spirit of exploration.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Horatio Nelson Jackson
Bud
Sewall K. Crocker
Discussion points
What problem-solving strategies did Horatio and Sewall use?
How would today’s trip differ with modern roads and GPS?
Why do you think Bud the dog became a symbol of the trip?
What inventions changed travel after 1903?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show photos of early cars and compare to family vehicle.
Plot the journey on a wall map and mark daily mileage.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The crew keeps going despite breakdowns and bad weather.
Real-World Application: Finish challenging tasks at school even when they get tough.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Horatio relies on Sewall’s mechanical skills; both care for Bud.
Real-World Application: Ask friends or family for help and share responsibilities.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: They improvise fixes with rope, patch kits, and local advice.
Real-World Application: Use creativity to repair toys or solve puzzles.
Example Lesson: Curiosity
Explanation: The wager sparks a desire to test what cars can do.
Real-World Application: Explore new hobbies and ask questions about how things work.