96 Miles

Two brothers trek 96 miles in a blackout, racing against time and questioning survival.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 3,804 ratings

272 pages· 70,371 words· Est. 10 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

In a Nevada blackout, brothers John and Stew are left without supplies. With their father away, they must trek 96 miles through the desert to find help. As they face the harsh sun and dwindling time, they question their father's lessons on self-reliance and the true meaning of survival. Will they reach safety, or will the desert claim them? This gripping tale of endurance and brotherhood explores the limits of human nature under desperate circumstances.

From the publisher

Now in paperback: J. L. Esplin’s 96 Miles is a survival story sure to appeal to fans of Gary Paulsen’s classic Hatchet and Lauren Tarshis’s bestselling I Survived series. 21 days without power. Two brothers on a desperate trek. 72 hours before time runs out… The Lockwood brothers are supposed to be able to survive anything. Their dad, a hardcore believer in self-reliance, has stockpiled enough food and water at their isolated Nevada home to last for months. But when they are robbed of all their supplies during a massive blackout while their dad is out of town, John and Stew must walk 96 miles in the stark desert sun to get help. Along the way, they’re forced to question their dad’s insistence on self-reliance and ask just what it is that we owe to our neighbors, to our kin, and to ourselves. From talented newcomer J. L. Esplin comes this story of survival and determination as two young brothers confront the unpredictability of human nature in the face of desperate circumstances. “A suspense thriller, survival story, and a story of the love between brothers. You’ll turn the pages and be surprised again and again.”–Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor Award-winning author of The Wednesday Wars “Readers who enjoy realistic survival stories will not be able to put down Esplin’s debut…. Filled with survival techniques, danger, and overcoming realistic obstacles, this story will have readers turning pages. A great choice for lovers of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet or Roland Smith’s Peak.”–School Library Journal

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