Survive This Safari -- Middle Grade Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a summer reading book for your 8 to 12-year-old? I have a wonderful one!! I will also be doing a summer reading list soon. I have to get through a few more of my chapter books to complete it! Today's book will definitely be on it. Last week we shared a book about an animal race and today we are sharing one about an animal sanctuary competition. Both are amazing books and perfect middle grade summer reads. Today's book is Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards. 

From the Publisher:

You're invited to the wildest ride of the year! An exciting novel featuring a group of kids competing in a giant safari park challenge, this book is packed with animal facts, puzzles and more making it the perfect book for readers looking for their next adventure.

Twelve-year old Lucy can’t believe her luck when she is selected for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, which involves solving a series of mind-bending puzzles to unlock access to new animal habitats across the local safari park. Her team will be racing the Wildlands Ambassadors, a group of student animal experts. And if they win, wildlife-loving Lucy will get the chance to be an Ambassador herself!

But this challenge is trickier than Lucy expects—her team is in for a wild ride! Broken locks, downed electronics, and empty animal enclosures are just the start. Lucy discovers something truly terrifying: Wildlands’ beloved baby elephant is on the loose and might be in danger! The team is sure this can’t be part of the competition—and with their walkie-talkie on the fritz, they have no way to call for help.

Their fun puzzle has turned into a serious test, but Lucy and her team will surprise everyone with how they tackle the real Wildlands challenge.

From Me:

This is a fun and interesting book. It is told in the point of view of 12-year-old Lucy. Lucy is an animal lover. She knows a lot about animals. She however did not become a Wildlands Ambassador because of a panic attack due to her fear of heights. She is nervous to enter this new contest. Would if the attacks happen again and she embarrasses herself all over. Her big sister who works at Wildlands talks her into it. Then she meets her team which includes her annoying neighbor, Jemma, who is her exact opposite and who always beats her at everything. The other two members are boys who neither of the girls know. They also have Alex, Lucy's sister, as their guide/chaperone. The adventure begins and includes spending a night at Wildlands in the camp. However, something seems off. The walkie-talkies are not working correctly and Archie, the camel, is wandering around and so are the elephants. As the competition goes on more problems keep popping up and it is no longer about the competition but about saving the animals and more. 

Throughout the book there are little notes and a few illustrations. The notes tell the reader about the upcoming competition riddle. It gives the reader a chance to solve each one. To solve many of them you need a good knowledge about animals. The team members each have their own strengths and slowly discover that they can work together and that each adds something to the team. They also realize they each have their own problems like Lucy's panic attacks. This book is fast moving and shares love of animals as well as some fears. Jemma is afraid of snakes. One of the boys has ADHD and the book shares some issues as well as some positives of it. Each team member's character is well developed in the book. The adventure is huge and keeps going. There are times of worry, and the team works together to get through it and try to save the day. The story flows well and is exciting. 

This book will be a great read for anyone who loves animals, competition, and adventure. I love how balanced the team is and each person is uniquely different. There is a team member for everyone. Jemma is the sporty and competitive girl. Lucy is the quiet and smart animal lover. Harrison is the boy with ADHD who thinks outside the box and cannot sit still. Trey is the tall, calm, and intelligent horticulturist. He is also Black. There is someone for each reader to connect with and follow. The book is told in Lucy's point of view but each of these characters are well developed, and the reader sees their strengths and some weaknesses. I can see this being a popular book for most kids. It has the adventure and excitement as well as real life issues with which they can relate. Happy reading!