This chapter book is perfect for dog-lovers. The text is large and is good for students who are just beginning to read chapter books. Ben is great at playing hockey, he even plays with his three border collies. He was invited to try out for a special hockey academy, but his dad does not want him to and it is the same day as his class field trip. The chapter book is very suspenseful and funny. It is a good read for third grade students. The moral of the story is to do the right thing even if you do not necessarily want to. ( )

A follow-up of Road Trip, Field Trip takes place the following year. Ben Duffy wakes up to a day where not only his hope of Hockey School is crushed, but his dad also announces he has missed too much school for the sport and is going to catch him and a couple of "brainiacs" from his class up to the field trip starting now ( 5 a.m.)
To top things off, they will be taking the "company van", which is an old ice cream truck, with a large cone still attached to the top and Dad's new apprentice Briggs is going along. The only good thing Ben sees about the trip is the possibility of getting him a puppy along the way, to keep the other 2 rescued Border Collies company and finally be a dog that is his. Things take a brighter turn when the road takes them near where the Hockey school tryouts are being held and Ben comes up with a plan. This book is excellent for the reluctant reader as you never know what to expect and the short chapters fly by. Recommended for grades 5-7. ( )