Reviews

Backcountry by Jenny Goebel, Jenny Goebel

chocolatesandchapters's review

adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hywar's review

3.0

This book would be great for students learning about theme, because the main character very explicitily states everything she is learning as she is learning it. While I think my students will enjoy reading about Emily working to survive on her own in the back country, it is also a little misleading. The plot starts with Emily being diagnosed as diabetic, but then skips over everything to do with her diagnosis and learning how to handle it. For students who want to read a sports fiction book, this also misses the mark - playing volleyball is not a key part of this story.
Overall the book has some great moments you could use in a discussion and any kind of survival story / story about a cute dog will tend to hook my readers. I just wish it was a little longer so a few more areas could have been developed.

sleepgoblin's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

It's odd that the summary says they were separated by an avalanche, because they weren't. But it was very good, and showed the importance of self acceptance and perseverance and choosing for yourself how you want to be defined. Also how easily miscommunication affects relationships even between those closest to you.