The Long Way Around by Anne Nesbet

What worked:

Vivian is uncertain about starting a new school year but her cousin Owen’s emotional conflict is a bigger issue. Owen is involved in a car accident that sends him to the hospital, but his best friend has more serious injuries. Owen is traumatized in the aftermath of the incident and he’s having trouble accepting the fate of his friend. Amy has a vivid imagination that makes readers wonder if she’s seeing things that aren’t there. She reports seeing and talking to a golden bear but Owen says the only bears in the area are black. She’s eventually given the trail name Bear and the other two characters receive nicknames as the story progresses.

The kids encounter problems during their hike that readers might expect in the mountainous areas of California. The state experiences many earthquakes and a large one causes the plot’s main conflict. Smaller tremors ensue to make the setting uncertain. Smoke from a fire is spotted in the distance so readers don’t know if that will become a factor. The weather is unpredictable so readers don’t know if flooding or slippery rocks may complicate the kids’ plans. Amy’s questionable sighting of a bear introduces the possibility that the kids might encounter wild animals. Readers are reminded that the main characters are young children with little experience surviving in the wild.

The relationship between the cousins will make readers feel good. They constantly have positive words for each other to help them deal with their issues. Vivian and Amy display empathy for Owen especially when begins sharing the truth about the car accident. Amy begins to lose hope but Owen and Vivian find different ways to motivate her to keep moving forward. Owen is in charge of their food and he always manages to use meals and snacks to keep up the morale. Amy and Owen understand what’s bothering Vivian and they provide verbal and emotional support to help her battle through them.

What didn’t work as well:

For a survival story, the journey around the lake isn’t as dramatic as it might be. There are many opportunities to add twists or to make things more challenging but they never happen. Experienced readers will expect Mother Nature to present life-threatening obstacles but the kids surprisingly navigate everything they face.

The final verdict:

This book tells a wonderful survival story for those who’d prefer not to deal with intense fear or danger. The real story focuses on the three kids as they provide loving support for each other’s emotional needs. The long hike provides situations where they must face unresolved issues but their fondness for each other carries them through. I recommend you give this book a shot.