In the Wild
Grade 4-7–Amanda, the target of harassment by her classmates, is on an adventure trip with her sixth-grade class. When she and one of the bullies, Philip, are separated from the group and become lost in the wilderness, they are forced to work together to survive. Amanda takes to the challenge much better than her counterpart because she has existed in semi-isolation for so long and actually seems to thrive in this bare-bones existence. She also knows about nettles and edible roots and tapping sap from trees. Both characters learn something about themselves and one another and come out of the experience with changed perspectives. Nordin realistically depicts the psychological effects of relentless hounding, and readers get an inside look, through Amanda's first-person narrative, at the toll it takes. The translation is smooth and the text flows naturally. Minor details, such as the names of junk food brands and fast foods, have been changed for North American audiences. Värmland, Sweden, the original setting, could just as well be the Canadian Rockies, Oregon, or a number of other states as specific locations are not named. The subject matter, too, is relevant to young people wherever they reside. Well written, and a lightning-fast read, this contemporary tale of physical and emotional survival is a worthy addition to most collections and a good recommendation for reluctant readers.–Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, CanadaCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.