Synopses & Reviews
Could You Survive? After a sea kayaking trip with his father takes a dangerous turn, Tom Parker is stranded on the remote, outer coast of unpopulated Bear Island in the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska. With only a small survival kit in his pocket, Tom finds himself soaked and freezing, and worst of all - alone. Desperate to find his father, Tom doesn't know how long he can survive and must put his survival skills to the test as he fights to reach safety. Will Tom make it through this wilderness full of bears and other dangers? Tom's story will have readers on the edge of their seats as they journey with him over the rough terrain of Alaska. They will absorb facts about survival as they watch Tom struggle to make things work, discovering Alaska from a first-person point of view. On another level, this story shows the sometimes fragile relationship between parents and children and how we can draw on what our parents have taught us in times of need. It also shows the courage and will to survive of a boy in dire circumstances and the triumph of never giving up.
Review
"The tension is well-crafted and realistic. Bear Island is a challenging environment to survive but a terrific thrill on the page." —Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
This thrilling adventure begins after a sea kayaking trip takes a dangerous turn and Tom Parker is stranded on the remote, outer coast of the unpopulated Bear Island in the rough terrains of the Alaskan wilderness. With only a small survival kit in his pocket, Tom finds himself soaked and freezing, and worst of all—alone. Desperate to find his father, Tom doesn't know how long he can survive and he must put his skills to the test as he fights to reach safety. Will Tom make it through a wilderness full of bears and other dangers?
About the Author
Paul Greci is a first-time childrens author debuting with Surviving Bear Island, a contemporary adventure and survival story in the great tradition of Gary Paulsen and Jack London. Paul is a teacher who lives with his wife in Fairbanks, Alaska, and has resided there for 25 years. When hes not teaching school and devising ways to keep hungry moose out of his garden, he spends his time exploring the Alaska wilderness by foot and kayak. Over the years, a few of the things hes seen are black and brown bear fishing for salmon, a pair of bald eagles building a nest, polar bears gnawing on a whale carcass, 10,000 walrus hauled out together on the Bering Sea coast, 120,000 caribou gathered together on the Arctic Coastal Plain, and a pod of killer whales rubbing their bellies against smooth stones. The first time Paul climbed into a sea kayak he embarked on a nine week, five hundred mile journey in Prince William Sound. That first trip and many others that followed provided the inspiration for his middle grade novel. James Madsen began illustrating professionally about 25 years ago. Most of the illustrations were for educational software that focused on reading, but then he moved to full-time freelancing and teaching illustration at a local college. Books are his favorite to illustrate because he feels can really go places in his mind and become part of them. Jim says "This book in particular has been one of my favorites because I grew up an avid outdoorsman and theres no where Id rather be than in the mountains or around wildlife." And since Jim has been lost a few times in the wild, among the worst experiences he has been through, this book definitely resonates with him. Some of James Madsen's previous works include: 1. Little Shepherd Girl, Cook Communications, 2007 2. Thor, Houghton Mifflin, 2007 3. Elliot's Park Series, Scholastic, 2008-2009 4.The Christmas House, Harper Collins, 2008 5. The Family Huddle, Scholastic, 2009 6. The Crossing, Simon&Schuster, 2011 7. The People of Twelve Thousand Winters, Sleeping Bear Press, 2011 8. Marvin Makes Music, Dutton, 2012 9. Starfish, Disney-Hyperion, 2012 10. Tuki and Moka, Sleeping Bear, 2013 11. What Was Your Dream, Dr. King, Sterling, 2013 12. Animas, Disney-Hyperion, 2014