Overboard!

April 15, 2017
After a rogue wave overturns their whale-watching boat in Washington's cold coastal waters, two preteens--unsure if their families survived--battle injury and hypothermia to reach dry land. Only Travis, 11 and white, wears an immersion suit. With her wrist broken and only a lifejacket for protection, Marina, Latina, 12, and the tour operator's daughter, knows they must conserve body heat and get out of the water, but she's losing consciousness. Travis manages to get them ashore, which is no easy task for a less-than-fit kid from Ohio who's given up gymnastics for computer gaming. On land, challenges only mount. With Marina barely breathing, Travis struggles to light a fire, then build a shelter at nightfall. Dawn brings the next issue: how to survive without food or water. There are inner demons to vanquish, too. When Marina spots a treetop nest containing a webcam, Travis must overcome a well-founded fear of heights to reach it. The author, a conservation officer for the province of Ontario, puts her considerable professional and recreational wilderness experiences to creative use. While the series framing device (a journalist interviews young survivors after they return to normal life) acts as a spoiler, the ordeals, thrillingly described, deliver plenty of suspense. Johnson doesn't give her young heroes special help--no food cache is discovered; no bottled water floats ashore. Orban's black-and-white illustrations help to break up the text and keep up the pace. This short, promising series opener contains plenty to inspire young readers while they await Vol. 2: Avalanche! (author's note, survival tips) (Adventure. 7-10)

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September 1, 2017

Gr 3-5-Johnson, author of Ice Dogs, presents an exciting new adventure/survival series. Each book starts out the same way: with a flashback to prior events. In short order, two friends or siblings find themselves alone when disaster strikes. It is up to the youths to use their resources and ingenuity to reach safety. There is often more than one hurdle to overcome, and just when the situation seems bleak and insurmountable, the teens rely on each other and persevere. At the conclusion of each text, readers are left with an open-ended question: What would you do to survive if you encountered a similar situation? Teachers could incorporate those essential questions into writing prompts or topics of discussion. Johnson also includes important survival tips from the U.S. Coast Guard and wilderness survival advice about hypothermia, bears, and avalanches. An interactive online site featuring games and resources provides further exploration for fans. The short chapters, large typeface, and simple sentences make this ideal for reluctant or struggling readers. VERDICT The inspiring messages, real-life advice, and glimpses at future career opportunities will make this a crowd pleaser. Hand to kids who enjoyed Laura Tarshis's "I Survived" series or Jeff Probst's "Stranded" books.-Laura Dooley-Taylor, Lake Zurich Middle School North, IL

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