Young Adult Fiction Survival Stories
Outback
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Initial publish date
- Mar 2011
- Category
- Survival Stories, General (see also headings under Social Themes), Australia & Oceania
- Recommended Age
- 12 to 18
- Recommended Grade
- 8 to 12
- Recommended Reading age
- 12 to 18
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781554699674
- Publish Date
- Mar 2011
- List Price
- $12.99
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781554694204
- Publish Date
- Mar 2011
- List Price
- $16.95
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781554694198
- Publish Date
- Mar 2011
- List Price
- $9.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Since his girlfriend dumped him, Jayden has been avoiding school-and life in general.
When his eccentric uncle Mel invites him to help with his biology research at an Australian university, he figures he has nothing to lose. Once he arrives, he discovers Mel is obsessed with finding a new species of lizard and is determined to be the first to discover it. Unfortunately, this means an expedition into the scorching desert heat of the Australian outback...with the increasingly paranoid Mel and an unfriendly biology student named Natalie. Then disaster strikes, and Jayden and Nat find themselves many miles from civilization fighting for their survival.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! Available in Spanish as Desolación.
About the author
Robin Stevenson is the award-winning author of more than 25 books for kids and teens, including the board book Pride Colors, the picture book Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story and the nonfiction books Kid Activists and Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle. The first edition of her nonfiction book Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (2016) won a Stonewall Honor and was shortlisted for numerous other awards. Robin lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she attends Pride celebrations with her family every year, but always leaves her dog safely at home.
Awards
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
- Commended, TriState Young Adult Book Review Committee Book of Note
Excerpt: Outback (by (author) Robin Stevenson)
And then we watch helplessly as the jeep burns. Flames leap from the driver's window and lick at the door frame, red tongues reaching into the black smoke. A wall of heat pushes toward us.
Editorial Reviews
"There's...drama and excitement [in this] survival tale."
The Horn Book Guide
"This fast-paced story gives enough descriptive detail to the give the reader a real feel for the scenery…Reluctant readers will gobble it up."
Tri-State YA Book Review Committee
"Compliments to Stevenson who has succeeded in giving readers a vivid picture...A successful, fast-paced adventure story. Recommended."
CM Magazine
"Though short and straightforwardly told, the characters and plot are engaging and it should be a hit with the Hi/Low audience."
Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media
"Well-written and intriguing, I read Outback in one sitting. The characters are very well-developed for such a short novel, and I found myself rooting for them at every turn...A fast-paced and enjoyable read for all, but I would definitely recommend this novel for reluctant readers or low level readers."
Resource Links
Other titles by
Kid Musicians
True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters, and Stars
Queer History A to Z
100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism
Kid Olympians: Summer
True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers
Kid Trailblazers
True Tales of Childhood from Changemakers and Leaders
Kid Innovators
True Tales of Childhood from Inventors and Trailblazers
Pride
The Celebration and the Struggle
Ghost's Journey
A Refugee Story
My Body, My Choice
The Fight for Abortion Rights
Blood on the Beach
