The Long Way Around

Starred review from July 15, 2024
A family camping trip in the mountains turns interesting after an earthquake. Eleven-year-old Vivian is so excited to be going camping with her 12-year-old cousin, Owen, and her 8-year-old sister, Amy. She's talked her mother and Uncle Mike (both veterans of the outdoors) into camping at Sequoia National Park and, what's more, letting the kids stay by themselves for 24 hours (the adults will camp just over a short mountain pass). Dusk comes, and Owen, who loves to cook, fixes a stellar meal on his little camp stove; the kids are blissful in their independence. Then comes the earthquake, shaking rocks down onto the trail and blocking the way back to the adults. Taking charge of the frightened Amy and disassociating Owen, Vivian determines that their only choice is to walk out the long way. While Owen has packed more food than necessary for one overnight, it's not enough. Nevertheless, they start out. This is a tale of adventure and survival, but it's far from grim; instead, it's filled with effervescent writing and humorous dialogue. Vivian's confidence and her joie de vivre in the beauty of her surroundings embrace Amy and Owen--as well as readers--with the usefulness of a positive attitude. If a story about three kids alone in the mountains with little food could ever be described as cheerful and uplifting, this one is it. All main characters read white. A sparkling tale of survival. (map)(Adventure. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2024
Grades 3-7 Cousins Owen, Vivian, and Amy are excited to camp by themselves for one night on their trip to Sequoia National Park with their families. Their parents are nearby, of course . . . until an earthquake causes the trail to be separated by rocks, stranding the kids with limited resources and seemingly no help on the way. Their ensuing journey earns them new nicknames: Sage, Reddy, and the Bear. Luckily, Sage practiced cooking and has enough food to strategically feed them for a day or two. Reddy is good at maps, and the Bear becomes known as such because of her magical golden bear that helps them on their journey. Though they face many obstacles along the way, they inevitably reunite with their parents. At times the plot is perhaps too convenient, but there is enough emotion and suspense strewn throughout this story to make it more than worth a student's effort. Perfect for fans of adventure stories.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2024
This survival novel is set in the awe-inspiring Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Owen, Vivian, and Amy (two tweens and an eight-year-old) plan a late-summer overnight trip alone in the wilderness. Sisters Vivian and Amy are exploring their home state of California, and their cousin Owen is visiting from the East Coast. Their grownups camp nearby -- they believe the kids' experience on their own will do each of them some good. When an earthquake triggers a rockfall and their path back to the adults is blocked, the resourceful and determined children must take an uncharted path to safety. The cousins use their impressive skills and knowledge (they are excellent at food rationing, first aid, and more) as they encounter wildlife, volatile weather, and treacherous heights. Moments of excitement are interwoven with heartwarming scenes of bonding and introspection, as the trio gives one another "trail names" and has deep conversations about embracing the real world, fears around new beginnings, moving forward from trauma, and the power of love and nature to heal: "[Owen] felt this amazing mix of things, all at once: happy and sad and alive." The plot -- told in the third person and never too harrowing -- is fast-paced and rich in setting. Sights, sounds, and smells are vividly delineated, creating a picturesque backdrop to center the cousins' journey and its transformative effects. Elisa Gall

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 2, 2024

Gr 4-7-Eleven-year-old Vivian is extremely excited about a much-anticipated family trip to Sequoia National Park. Although her dad is not much for camping, her mom, uncle, and 12-year-old cousin Owen are also onboard. Reluctantly dragged along and out of her comfort zone is Vivian's younger sister Amy. The cousins are especially thrilled because the adults have agreed to let the kids stay by themselves at Ranger Lake. The kids are sorely tested when they are awakened suddenly by an earthquake and unfortunately, as they are making their frantic escape, a bear decides to tag along. Lots of suspense and tense situations occur as the children make their way around the tumultuous park to locate the adults. Meanwhile, Owen is still dealing with trauma he experienced when he was in a terrible car accident with his friend Marco. And even though Vivian appears to be so comfortable in her skin, she too is struggling with the stress of starting middle school. The characters are well developed, though the plot point of the adults permitting young children to camp alone in such an isolated and wild environment requires some suspension of disbelief. VERDICT A fast-paced adventure that forces three children to make decisions about survival and come to terms with some grown-up issues.-Julie Shatterly

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2024
This survival novel is set in the awe-inspiring Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Owen, Vivian, and Amy (two tweens and an eight-year-old) plan a late-summer overnight trip alone in the wilderness. Sisters Vivian and Amy are exploring their home state of California, and their cousin Owen is visiting from the East Coast. Their grownups camp nearby -- they believe the kids' experience on their own will do each of them some good. When an earthquake triggers a rockfall and their path back to the adults is blocked, the resourceful and determined children must take an uncharted path to safety. The cousins use their impressive skills and knowledge (they are excellent at food rationing, first aid, and more) as they encounter wildlife, volatile weather, and treacherous heights. Moments of excitement are interwoven with heartwarming scenes of bonding and introspection, as the trio gives one another "trail names" and has deep conversations about embracing the real world, fears around new beginnings, moving forward from trauma, and the power of love and nature to heal: "�Owen] felt this amazing mix of things, all at once: happy and sad and alive." The plot -- told in the third person and never too harrowing -- is fast-paced and rich in setting. Sights, sounds, and smells are vividly delineated, creating a picturesque backdrop to center the cousins' journey and its transformative effects.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)