Dust Storm! (Survivor Diaries) by Terry Lynn Johnson

Dust Storm! (Survivor Diaries #4)

Terry Lynn Johnson, Author

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fiction, Nov. 6, 2018

Pages: 128

Suitable for Ages: 7-10

Themes: Dust Storm, Desert, New Mexico, Lost, Knowledge, Survival Skills, Courage

Synopsis:

Sixth-graders Jen Chiu and Martin Diaz are geared up to participate in one of the most exciting geocaching field trips ever in New Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert. Former best friends, Jen wants to find all of the caches before Martin does. When their van gets a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, the students help the teacher pass out water bottles and set up a tarp next to the bus for shade. Jen returns her backpack to the bus and discovers Martin peeking into the teacher’s briefcase to get the latitudes and longitudes for the upcoming competition. He darts from the bus to the trailer and grabs his mountain bike and takes off. Jen grabs her bike from the trailer and races after him.

When Jen catches up with Martin, she sees a wall of dirt rise high into the air. A dust storm. They ride as fast as they can to stay ahead of it, but the blinding dust storm overpowers them. They are knocked off their bikes when they ride off a cliff they can’t see. Nothing looks familiar. The dust burns their eyes and skin, and is gritty in their mouths. They are far from their group and in the desert alone. They don’t have water, food, tools, proper clothing, sunglasses, and survival gear. They left their backpacks on the bus. Jen and Martin are lost. Night is falling, coyotes are calling, and small critters are crawling. They will have to use all of their knowledge and grit to survive.

Why I like this book:

Dust Storm! Survivor Diaries is a great adventure series that will get kids, especially reluctant readers, interested in reading. Terry Lynn Johnson has written a fast-paced series that is authentic and fun to read. Pen and ink drawings add to the drama of what is unfolding in the story.

The plot is engaging and the tension palpable. Dust Storm! focuses on Jen and Martin using skills they know after they get caught in a desert dust storm and become disoriented. What do they do first? How much time do they have before they become dehydrated? How do they stay calm? What skills do they need most?

Dust Storm! is the fourth book in the Survivor Diaries. This series will have huge kid-appeal because the element of danger and the universal need to know what to do if you are unexpectedly caught in a situation where your life depends upon what you know. Johnson’s words of real-life advice are clear: Stay calm. Stay Smart. Survive. This is an important story for kids and families who like to hike to read together. It is also an excellent classroom book that belongs in every school library.

Johnson stories are inspired by true events. She began researching this desert story after she learning about two separate tragedies involving tourists who both died from dehydration after trying to walk for help after a car became stuck on a back road.

Resources: The best part of Johnson’s Survivor Diaries is that backmatter she includes: Survival Tips if you get you get lost and the bare essentials you need to carry while hiking a wilderness trail. After you’ve read the book, readers can visit her website to play the interactive Game – Will You Survive?

Terry Lynn Johnson, author of Ice Dogs, Sled Dog School, and the Survivor Diaries (Overboard, Avalanche, Lost and Dust Storm) series, has lived in northern Ontario, Canada, for more than forty years. Before becoming a conservation officer, she worked for twelve years as a canoe-ranger warden in a large wilderness park. Visit Johnson at her website.

Greg Pattridge is the permanent host for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.

*Purchased Copy.

Lost! Survivor Diaries by Terry Lynn Johnson

Lost! Survivor Diaries

Terry Lynn Johnson, Author

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fiction, Jul. 3, 2018

Suitable for Ages: 7-10

Themes: Lost, Jungle, Costa Rica, Extreme elements, Survival skills, Courage

Synopsis:

Eleven-year-old Carter and his parents are interested in birding and travel to the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, to observe over 400 species of birds. At the resort where they are staying, Carter meets Anna who is 12, and vacationing with her parents. While they wait to go to dinner with their parents, they decide to explore a well-marked jungle trail to see an ancient monkey statue and a waterfall.

On their way Carter spots a red-bellied quetzal. He has already identified 308 different endangered bird species and is especially excited to see a quetzal. The quetzal jumps off the branch and flies down the path, with Carter trailing. They reach the waterfall and realize that is getting dark. Then they hear a very terrifying noise — howler monkeys shrieking and leaping in the branches all around them. Anna screams and sprints off the trail into the jungle dodging trees and branches as the monkeys follow. Carter yells at her at her to stop. When he finally catches up to her they try to find their way back to the familiar path, but the tangle of vines and trees all look the same. They are…lost.

Carter suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. As part of his therapy, he studies survival techniques and is prepared for his Costa Rica trip. He tells Anna they have to stay put — S.T.O.P, which means to stop, think observe and plan. Carter tells Anna their parents and rescuers will be able to track them. The humidity in the rainforest is so intense they are soaked and are forced to stop. They are dehydrated and need water. Carter pulls an emergency kit he’s made and carries in a Ziploc bag in his pocket. It has a fire starter, whistle, aluminum foil, ground tarp, flashlight, bandages and water purification tablets. As they begin to clear the area to start a fire, build shelter and look for a water source, a troop of White-faced monkeys leap from above trees and steal Carter’s emergency kit. Sobbing he sits on a log and is stung by a scorpion.

Their journey is only beginning and will test Carter’s ability to stay calm and focused and use what ever is available in the jungle to stay alive. They only have a machete, a rope and a large garbage bag. Will they find a water source? What will they eat? What about the dangerous animals, snakes and spiders lurking nearby? Should they stay or try to find their way out. How will they mark a path so rescuers can follow them? Carter knows that the difference between staying and leaving could mean life or death.

Why I like this book/series:

Lost! is another thrilling chapter book in Terry Lynn Johnson’s Survivor Diaries series. It is inspired by true stories of hikers lost in the rainforests of Costa Rica. The plot is riveting, exciting and fast-paced. I like how it makes kids think about what it would take to survive a difficult situation.

It would be challenging to stay calm when you know you may not make it out alive. I like how Johnson pushes the envelope a little and creates Carter, who already has a problem with anxiety and panic attacks, as the main character. His anxiety is a major reason Carter has become such an expert about survival in the jungle. It may seem obsessive, but in Carter’s case it is empowering because he prepares for every “what if” situation he encounters. When his emergency kit is stolen he learns to learn to trust himself and use the tools he knows to survive. If he can survive a scorpion bite, he can survive anything. Anna is a nice balance to Carter. She’s a year older, taller, stronger, bossy and wants to control the situation. But she is out of her element when it comes to survival and has to depend on Carter.

The Lost! Survivor Diaries will have huge kid-appeal because the element of danger and the universal need to know what to do if you are unexpectedly caught in a situation where your life depends upon what you know. Johnson’s words of real-life advice echo loud and clear: Stay calm. Stay Smart. Survive. After reading this book, you’ll be better prepared for surviving a real-life disaster. It is an important story for families, who are birdwatchers and hikers, to read together. It is also an excellent book that belongs in every school library.

Resources: Make sure you check out the Author’s Note and tips from the Canadian Red Cross on Building Your Own Safety Kit at the end of the book. Do you have what it takes to survive? Check out Johnson’s Online Survival Game to see if what you’ve learned from Carter and Anna will help you survive.

Terry Lynn Johnson, author of the acclaimed Ice Dogs, Sled Dog School, Falcon Wild, and the Survivor Diaries, writes adventures based on her 17 years of experiences and training in the wilds of northern Ontario. Her next sequel, Dust Storm! will be published in November. She has been dragged on her face by her dog team, been lost in the bush more than once, and even chased a bear with a chainsaw. She owned a team of eighteen sled dogs for many years and currently works as a conservation officer. Visit her at her website.

Avalanche: Survival Diaries by Terry Lynn Johnson

Avalanche! (Survivor Diaries)

Terry Lynn Johnson, Author

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fiction, Dec. 2, 2017

Suitable for Ages: 7-10

Themes: Downhill skiing, Avalanche, Extreme elements, Survival skills, Bravery

Terry Lynn Johnson has penned a smart and riveting adventure about surviving in extreme elements following an avalanche. This is a must read for those who enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding! Every minute counts when you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Avalanche! is the second book in Johnson’s Survival Diaries series. The stakes are higher in this adventure story and will engage and challenge readers from page one. The plot is realistic with many nail-biting moments. Pen and ink drawings add to the drama as it unfolds.

Twelve-year-old twins Ashley and Ryan and their parents are skiing the snowy Grand Teton range in Wyoming. Their backpacks are filled with usual ski gear, extra food, and survival items. Ryan and Ashley take a detour from their parents and the designated path to follow some wolverine tracks. Suddenly they find themselves in the midst of a dangerously loaded snowfield that breaks away and crashes around them. Even though their avalanche lessons kick in, they have little time to try to turn a different direction before they are tumbling in the snow and debris that is sweeping them down the mountain. They are hurt and buried in snow.

Ashley is the first to dig herself free from her snow grave. But where is Ryan? Will Ashley and Ryan be able to use survival skills they have learned to race the clock and survive a massive avalanche until help arrives? What do they do first? How serious are their injuries? How much time do they have before hypothermia sets in? Can they build a fire? How do they stay calm? Can they make a shelter in the snow? What about the wild animals lurking nearby? What skills do they need most?

The Avalanche! Survivor Diaries will have huge kid-appeal because the element of danger and the universal need to know what to do if you are unexpectedly caught in a situation where your life depends upon what you know. Johnson’s words of real-life advice echo loud and clear: Stay calm. Stay Smart. Survive. It is an important story for skiing families to read together. It is also an excellent book that belongs in every school library.

Resources: Make sure you check out the Author’s Note, and the Avalanche and Wilderness Safety Tips at the end of the book. Do you have what it take to survive? Check out Johnson’s Online Survival Game to see if what you’ve learned from Ashley and Ryan will help you survive.

Terry Lynn Johnson, author of the acclaimed Ice Dogs, Sled Dog School, and the Survivor Diaries, writes adventures based on her own experiences in the wilds of northern Ontario. She has been dragged on her face by her dog team, been lost in the bush more than once, and even chased a bear with a chainsaw. She owned a team of eighteen sled dogs for many years and currently works as a conservation officer. Visit her at her website.

Greg Pattridge is the permanent host for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.