  | Distress signal Author: Lambert, Mary E. | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Lavender and the rest of the sixth-graders are on a camping trip to the Chiricahua wilderness, but the trip seems cursed from the start, and when a flash flood splits the group up Lavender finds herself lost, together with her former best friend Marisol, mean-girl Rachelle, and a boy John who has been behaving like a surly jerk since the start--they have only one pack of supplies and only the most basic wilderness knowledge, but if they are to survive they need to put their differences aside.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.90 Points: 7.0 Quiz: 510397 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (09/01/20)
School Library Journal (11/01/20)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 11/01/2020 Gr 4–7—Lavender has been looking forward to the sixth grade field trip to Chiricahua National Park in Arizona. The class will go on hikes and stargaze with the newly purchased class telescope. Plus, she'll get three days of hanging out with her best friend, Marisol. However, nothing is going to plan; Marisol is ignoring her and spending time with mean girl Rachelle. When the class accidently goes off trail, Lavender decides to prank Rachelle so Marisol will see Rachelle's true colors. Then she hears a flash flood warning on her ham radio, and while the rest of her class escapes, Lavender, Rachelle, Marisol, and fellow student John get separated from the group. With no signal to call for help, limited water, and no maps, the students must work together to survive, while overcoming their friendship drama. The story is easy to read with a straightforward plot, and Lambert skillfully hooks readers with compelling chapter endings. The friend drama among the three girls is authentic for their ages, but some readers may find the meanness once they are in a survival situation, unrealistic. VERDICT Readers who enjoyed Rebecca Behrens's The Disaster Days or Watt Key's Deep Water will enjoy Lambert's blend of survival themes, focus on teamwork, and friendship drama in her fast-paced plot. Fans of Dusti Bowling's The Canyon's Edge will also find the similar wilderness and survival themes intriguing.—Kaetlyn Phillips, Yorkton, Sask. - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
