A great read for any middle school student, but also an enjoyable read for adults. "15 Secrets to Survival" did a wonderful job depicting how the things we say, either in person or virtually, can impact others. It also shows how we can use our differences to become stronger together. I felt that this book is a perfect read for student book clubs or classes as a whole because there is a lot of opportunity for students to engage in conversation about relevant topics that all middle school students face at some point. I think setting these topics against the backdrop of wilderness survival was a fun and fresh way to delve into the topic of friendship in middle school.

An adorable middle grades book all about not counting out teamwork. When kids don't get along, it can be tough at their age! It can really throw in some stress and really alter plans that kids have made, and when parents step in... phew, much more stress! But the kids in this book worked through it all to achieve something together. This book is great for those who enjoy seeing how adverse issues can be overcome and success can be achieved, all while seeing the different personalities of characters in a story. This story is also great for those who love a bit of action and a little bit of mystery, as they are both main components of the story. What a wonderful book to incorporate into any classroom, good for ages 4th through 6th in my eyes. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review - looking forward to adding this book to my classroom library!

15 Secrets to Survival initially appealed to me because of its setting, as well as themes of friendship and outdoor survival. Plus, what a fabulous cover! And overall, I enjoyed the story and think younger middle grade readers will too (but first they will need to stick with it through some of the slower beginning chapters that spend much too long establishing just how much the four main characters don’t get along...sooo many arguments!). The book is categorized as middle grade, but I felt it was a bit of a mixed bag for this age group: at 384 pages, it is geared toward the older side of it, however, the characters, including much of their dialogue and actions/reactions, skew younger (9-10 year-olds).

Moving past the slower beginning, as the story picks up steam, the stakes are raised chapter by chapter, it finds its groove and even becomes an edge-of-your-seat thriller at times, and it wraps up in a satisfying way. Lessons of friendship, forgiveness, reliability, responsibility, and numerous nature-related and survival topics are woven in, both overtly and in more subtle ways. In general, this is a fun, adventurous story that is sure to find plenty of fans.

I received an ARC of this title through the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable book with a lot of good turns and twists to it. The cover art was great and the concept of the book was different but in a good way. It had some interesting elements to it, and would be a good read for our library to have.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Baxter's parents are very good friends with several of the children with whom he goes to school; his parents set up a company with one of the couples, and they all live in the neighborhood. He's always had to hang out with Abigail, Turner and Emerson, but he doesn't like them very much. When the four (whom his mother has dubbed "the Getalong Gang") have to be on a the same team for the Know and Grow elective course, it doesn't go well. After some fighting took place during a competition, all of the kids lose credit for the course, and Baxter loses his spot on the E Sports team. The only way they can get the credits back is by doing a project. Luckily, Baxter's great uncle Hornsby has a cabin in the mountains, and since the parents are all taking a cruise to Aruba, they dump the children with him. They even leave Vivi, Baxter young sister who is probably between one and two. Hornsby will give them a challenge, but keep them all safe. He taught Baxter's parents outdoor survival skills after they were married, was a camp counselor, and even had infant first aid certification, so the parents think he is a safe bet. The children think differently, and Baxter is especially leery given the state of the uncle's cabin. The children are not there for long; after the parents leave (having been menaced by a moose right after they all arrived), the children are given an instructional booklet of seemingly disparate newspaper articles, and sent to look for Vivi. Once they find her, they set off on a perilous adventure in the woods that includes more moose exposure, a burn incident, a small avalanche, a spectacularly poopy diaper, and a tumble into a river. Uncle Hornsby is apparently looking out for them, but when the group arrives at a cabin, they realize that he is in danger. Using their one flip phone, that has a 9% change left, they call 911 and request assistance, only to find that a horrible winter storm is approaching. Will they be able to get back to the cabin and help their uncle? But most of all, will they get school credit for their exploits?
Strengths: I never hope to meet a moose in the wild, but I loved how the parents were able to stay calm and keep everyone safe. Pro tip: throw apples far from your group so that the moose is distracted and goes after them. The idea that children are forced to be friends with each other because their parents are friends is an intriguing concept, and the four children exhibit typical tween behaviors. Petty spats, annoying each other, but ultimately, working together to insure their survival. Uncle Hornsby's survival strategies, though a bit haphazardly delivered, are sound. It's good for the children to rely on each other and their own capabilities, and they ultimately triump. This is another good warning to never go anywhere without a back pack full of granola bars and a well charged satellite phone.
Weaknesses: This lost me a bit with the whole "losing school credit" unless the kids did a project; I haven't once in 25 years seen anything remotely like that in school, although it seems to happen a lot in books. I also found it hard to believe that the kids would take such a small child with them, but both of these things will not phase the average twelve year old reader at all. They will also not care that Uncle Hornsby's wrinkly flesh is described so enthusiastically, but as a Pre Elderly person, I didn't enjoy it very much.
What I really think: If outdoor adventure with a bit of humor goes over well in your library, make sure you have this along with Gangsei's 2017 The Wild Bunch and Hale's 2022 Super Troop.

Thanks to NetGalley for E Arc.

This book is full of adventure, challenges, danger, and learning to see the value in friendship from others who are different than you. Baxter, Abigail, Turner and Emerson are sent to the wilderness with Baxter's Uncle to learn how to get along and work together. Their parents are best friends and they are expected to be the same. But they are not. They really can't stand each other and when a school project gets out of hand, their consequence is a wilderness challenge. But things go horribly wrong and the group is forced to overcome their differences and work together. I love the cover and I think it will make students want to pick it up. I plan on purchasing for my library and marketing towards 4th-5th graders.

Instead of your typical detention, Baxter, Abigail, Turner, and Emerson are facing the consequences of their action with a wilderness campout along with an instructor to learn how to work together as a team. This will be a fun read for kids with the added bonus of gaining survival skills as well as how to work together once you start to accept and honor differences and talents in each other. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this adventurous story in exchange for an honest review.

Not what I was expecting. This was much more advanced then I thought it was gonna be. Kind of a disappointment.

Thanks @netgalley for the eARC

Fun and lighthearted. At its core, this is a story about friendship and the importance of appreciating ones differences.

Lots of action and adventure. And lots of survival. This book is actually a great resource for learning about many rudimentary outdoor survival skill. You just never know when that little bit of extra knowledge could be the ticket to survival.

Great story and a great undercover educational resource.

What an excellent book about survival, teamwork, and working together. When four kids are disqualified for being disrespectful during a team tournament, they are told they must come with a group project to pass. Their parents take them to the remote mountains in Montana where Uncle Hornsby has a cabin. The uncle says the mountain will be your syllabus. As the kids come across different outdoor challenges it shows what they’re good at. A shed collapses; they meet a moose and someone gets hypothermia. More things happens and when the uncle doesn’t appear when he’s suppose to, the group gets worried. Is he all right? Will they find him be for a storm hits?

15 Secrets to Survival is my first book by Natalie D. Richards; four 12 year old classmates have a long weekend with Baxter's great uncle as a type of team building exercise.

This is my first read by Natalie D. Richards. (I believe her books are typically YA psychological thrillers; and this book has a middle school target audience and recommended for educators to discuss survival aspects in class discussion.) I really enjoyed 15 Secrets to Survival (and I'm definitely not the target audience). I finished two books yesterday and have 4 other books in progress and 15 Secrets was by far the one I've been enjoying the most.

I loved how all the students different strengths came together; but I especially loved when Baxters video game experiences helped solve a problem. And I loved the Baxters thoughts that popped onto the page (that were usually not very diplomatic) and also how much he doted on his little sister.

There is some "mixed media" / newspaper articles throughout the book that are educational.

Man ... I wish that this had been required reading when I was in middle school! My niece and nephew are probably a bit too young for 15 Secrets, but seriously thinking of buying it for them and holding onto it for several years.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to author Natalie D. Richards and publisher Delacorte Press for approving my request to reveiw 15 Secrets to Survival. I loved it and it would have my vote for middle school age reads! Publication date is Nov 7, 2023.

Super cute cover!

“15 Secrets to Survival” is a middle grade novel written by Natalie D. Richards.

I am honored to have received an eARC from Net Galley, Delacorte Press, and Random House Children’s Books .

“15 Secrets to Survival” will be released on November 7, 2023.

I was continually amazed by the resiliency, problem solving, and troubleshooting abilities of the four characters in this story. I loved the riddles, facts, and knowledge created and shared by Great Uncle Hornsby. And I really liked sweet pea little sister Vivi. I could easily see this story as a movie.

I without hesitation recommend this novel for middle grade readers.

What a fun book. The story is a great combination of mystery, adventure and humor. I cannot wait to get it into the hands of students.