The end of sixth grade was messy, when a rivalry between two popular girls broke into a war, and the class split into factions. At the end of summer, Annette attempts to repair the damage her failed mediation caused - inviting her crush Hunter, estranged best friend Yumi, and glam girl Swann on a fishing trip. But when their crew runs into Swann's rival Queen Bee, and gets caught up in a forest fire, the question is not who will win the popularity contest, but who will survive. Set in Idaho, the teens display rural kids’ knowledge of survival skills. Some clunky dialog and overly explanatory text rob the characters of vitality. Those reading for outdoor action/adventure
will be satisfied by a plot with an inventive ending. All characters, except two Asian-Americans, are
white. This is the second book in a series, but it can stand alone.

I did not realize this was part of a series when I requested it but I think the story works fine as a stand-alone, as well. The book follows 8 eighth graders whose summer fishing trip turns into a race to escape a wildfire. There's a lot of action, especially in the second half, as well as some cute character moments. I think this series would be a great option to hand to reluctant readers who only willing read Gary Paulsen and Alan Gratz. I appreciate that the book demonstrates how wildfires start in a way that works organically in the story. It's also nice to see a book set in Idaho that actually feels accurate to what Idaho is really like.

Another great survival book by Trent Reedy that will have you wondering will they survive? There are so many realistic and tense moments as we see a group of eight kids watch as a fire gets closer to them. What started out as a fun fishing trip becomes a test of survival and courage especially when they reach a point where they can’t turn back? What can they do?