THE LONG WAY AROUND

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.