Beyond just simple survival. This book is more twisted. Far more nebulous as well. Sometimes uncertainty works in a story's favor, lets us draw our own conclusions. In this case, I think it leads us to flounder. What are we meant to take away from this book, to learn?

I can already tell that this book will be popular when I purchase it for my classroom. The adventure and suspense alone will be enticing for my more reluctant readers. Survival is always a hot topic in my classroom so that combined with the relatability of the characters makes this a must-have!

In On The Free, Coert Voorhees does a good job of weaving together an adventure tale told by three distinct narrators. Santi, Amelia and Victor each have very different motives for going on a wilderness camping trip. But only a short time into the trip a mudslide rearranges their goals and they have to work together for survival.