Rule #1: You may bring only what fits in your backpack. Don't try to fake it out with a purse or a carry-on.

Rule #2: You may not bring guidebooks, phrasebooks, or any kind of foreign language aid. And no journals.

Rule #3: You cannot bring extra money or credit/debit cards, traveler's checks, etc. I'll take care of all of that.

Rule #4: No electronic crutches. This means no laptop, no cell phone, no music, and no cameral. You can't call home or communicate with people in the US by Internet or telephone. Postcards and letters are acceptable and encouraged.

Gabby doesn't think she's a very exciting person - her aunt Peg was exciting, and being with her made Gabby more interesting. But Aunt Peg is gone. She's managed to to leave Gabby one last adventure, though. And so Gabby finds herself on a plane to Europe with only one bag and no cash. No cell phone. And no idea what's going to happen when she gets to London.

If only we all had an Aunt Peg! Gabby's off on the adventure of her life, however reluctantly. I think every girl needs a journey of self-exploration like the one Aunt Peg has planned for Gabby. 13 blue envelopes are her only guide; beyond that, she must use her own wits. Usually shy and practical, Gabby must crawl outside her shell if she's to complete the tasks Aunt Peg has set for her.

I love travel stories, and this is a great one. It might be a little hard to believe that Gabby's parents would let her take of on this crazy adventure, but once you get past that, travelling with Gabby is loads of fun. From London to Rome to Paris, Amsterdam, Denmark, Greece - the terrain Gabby covers is amazing, as are the things she discovers about herself on the way.

Johnson, Maureen. 13 Little Blue Envelopes. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. ISBN 0060541415. $15.00

What I'm reading: Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess
On my bookshelf: Who knows?