If you enjoy solving puzzles, a longer contemporary read (361 pages), and animals then keep on reading. You are going to love this book!
Main character Lucy Spagnola has been invited to Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge. The challenge is at a nearby safari park where wild animals are given a large space to roam and are cared for by a dedicated staff.
Lucy’s older sister Alex is already an intern at the park, but she’s still a bit hesitant in attending given her frequent panic attacks. Alex convinces her to take on the experience. Lucy joins a team of 3 other invitees all about the same age (Jemma, Trey, and Harrison). Their task is to compete against the Park Ambassadors and one person deemed the best will get to join that prestigious group.
It’s an engaging set of tasks as they travel around the Wildlands solving various puzzles that will unlock gates to the next challenge. Readers are alerted to play along and solve the challenges on their own. Most will have you in deep thought as you try and unravel the clues.
A shift in the plot arrives when the group discovers a baby elephant has been separated from her mother and is in trouble. Some men have secretly entered the preserve and are trying to steal Tabora, the baby calf. Their mission takes on higher stakes and the exciting conclusion will have you flipping the pages to find out if they are successful.
The third person narration stays close to the group all the way to the end. SURVIVE THIS SAFARI is a unique and fun addition to the middle grade shelves.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: April 8, 2025
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: SURVIVE THIS SAFARI by Natalie Richards
- Each of the kids have distinct personalities that is essential to the story. Harrison’s ADHD, Jemma’s know it all attitude, and Trey who is smart, quiet, and helpful make a great set of characters you will enjoy (well, maybe not Jemma at first “End of Discussion.”).
- Over 100 footnotes are used and are quite helpful in learning about animal behaviors and further character insights. Footnotes usually distract me from enjoying the plot but here they worked.
- I’ve visited the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado several times and this reminded me of the fascinating and educational experience offered at the park. A great setting as is the one in this book.
- Lucy’s panic attacks are realistically portrayed.
- Loved the cover. This alone will sell a lot of copies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Natalie D. Richards is the New York Times bestselling author of 49 Miles Alone, Four Found Dead, Seven Dirty Secrets, Five Total Strangers, Six Months Later, and One Was Lost, among other young adult thrillers. 15 Secrets to Survival was her middle-grade debut, and her latest middle-grade adventure story is Survive This Safari. Natalie lives in Ohio with her three children and a ridiculously furry dog named Wookiee. To learn more, visit: nataliedrichards.com.
Natalie Richards: @natdrichards — Delacorte/Random House Children’s Books: @randomhousekids — Blue Slip Media: @blue_slip_media
Natalie Richards: N/A — Delacorte/Random House Children’s Books: Random House Children’s Books — Blue Slip Media: @blue-slip-media
Twitter/X:
Natalie Richards: N/A — Random House Children’s Books: @randomhousekids — Blue Slip Media: @blueslipper & @barbfisch
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I’m looking forward to reading this book and featuring Natalie on my blog, though it’s going to be later. I like all the focus on the animals while telling a great story.
I’m looking forward to reading this book and featuring Natalie on my blog, though it’s going to be later. I like all the focus on the animals while telling a great story.
Looks like a fun read with an original twist. The cover already has me smiling. Thanks for sharing!
Animal stories are so popular with kids, and puzzle books as well. I’m kind of fascinated by the idea of the footnotes. I will definitely pick this one up!
You’re right about the cover! It certainly is attention grabbing (completely in a good way!). This sounds a great combination of puzzles, adventure and fascinating facts about animals, so a great all round purchase and sure to be a hit! Thanks for sharing!
This book sounds so much fun to read as I do love puzzles and animals as well. I love the fun cover too.
The cover is inviting and the story sounds like fun. Thanks for MMGM.
That cover is fabulous! I think you’re right– it’ll have this book flying off the shelves. I love that the footnotes were so useful. Just that has me itching to check this one out. Thanks for your review, and happy MMGM!
I love the cover! Sounds like an intriguing book.
This sounds like such a fun and exciting read! How cool that the author included footnotes as well. I can see a lot of kids grabbing this one! Thanks for featuring it!
What an eye-catching cover indeed! Looks like adventurous fun but also educational.
Sounds fun and I love the cover!
For some reason I keep getting a message that my comment can’t be posted- but I am going to try again. 🙂
That cover will draw kids in for sure! The story sounds fun and I am intrigued by the baby elephant. Thanks for sharing.
Not sure why that is happening but thanks for finally getting your comment posted. I’ll look into this a little more.
Looks like great read… safari without adventure is no safari
Sounds good!
Sounds great