Join Aki on a breathtaking trek along the Appalachian Trail—from Georgia to Maine—through misty forests, blooming wildflowers, and starry mountain nights. Along the way, discover black bears, salamanders, soaring hawks, and the hidden science of ecosystems, weather, and conservation. With rich illustrations and real trail facts, this poetic journey captures the wonder of America’s most iconic hike and the magic of the wild outdoors.

Author and educator Neil Rosen is passionate about the transformative power of books on children and their families. He writes books that unite families and empower parents, caregivers, and children to impact their community positively. Neil's latest project, Can You Read Nature? encourages families to spend more intentional time outdoors to nurture future generations of environmental stewards.

Age-Appropriate Learning Guide:

“Can You Read… the Appalachian Trail?”

Ages 7–8:

Young readers will be drawn into the journey by the rhythmic, rhyming text and vibrant, nature-rich artwork that captures animals, hikers, forests, and seasons. At this stage, they’ll begin to absorb foundational vocabulary like “trail,” “summit,” “lean-to,” and names of animals and plants. The art helps decode unfamiliar words by clearly illustrating what’s described—fog, salamanders, waterfalls, etc. Scientifically, they’ll gain exposure to basic nature concepts: how hikers follow trails, what animals live in the mountains, and how weather and seasons change the environment. The idea of “trail magic” and teamwork will also connect emotionally at this age.

Ages 8–10:

This age group is ready to engage more deeply with both the science and storytelling. They’ll expand their vocabulary and learn to interpret weather patterns, follow maps, and make predictions about outdoor changes. The illustrations continue to offer context, but readers now begin to draw conclusions on their own. They’ll better understand ecological systems, altitude effects, and animal tracking, while still enjoying the emotional resonance of group adventure and problem-solving.

Ages 10–12:

Older readers will be able to reflect on the text’s environmental, geographic, and cultural insights. The vocabulary includes multi-syllabic and abstract terms (e.g., “Appalachian Trail Conservancy,” “climate adaptation,” “ecosystem health”) and is rich enough to support cross-curricular learning in science, history, and environmental studies. They’ll understand the science of long-term weathering, habitat zones, species richness (like the unique salamander populations), and how climate change is altering phenology and ecosystems. The art, while still accessible and friendly, serves a more informative function here—inviting readers to study landscape features, flora shifts by season, and the geographic range of the trail. For this age, the book becomes a springboard for environmental literacy and stewardship.