Review published on Goodreads, 12 February 2021:

I always enjoy a good dystopian/survival novel and that's exactly what 96 MILES is. With likable, sympathetic characters; a vivid, atmospheric setting; and a compelling, action-packed plot, the book is an engrossing page-turner. Like all books of this type, it asks intriguing questions about survival—How far would you go to save yourself and your loved ones? With only limited resources available, would you share what you have or keep it for yourself? Perhaps most importantly, would you be able to live with the consequences of whatever actions you decide to take? All of these questions are addressed in the story, making it as thought-provoking as it is riveting. For a debut novel, 96 MILES is especially well-written, well-plotted, and multi-layered. While it deals with tough subjects, it never gets too bleak or terrifying for middle-grade readers. It should appeal to reluctant readers as well as fans of HATCHET and other dystopian/survival-type books. I liked it a lot.

This felt like a fairly realistic depiction of what would happen if the grid went down for an extended period of time. We have these kids who have training and supplies but bad luck puts them in a precarious circumstance. Clearly Esplin is of the opinion that desperation strips people of their humanity. This idea is repeated throughout the plot. The final reveal was frustrating and the resolution came out of nowhere.

Another take on an end-of-days theme for middle grade readers. Just okay -- seemed like some points could have used more details or time, while others seemed to drag on unnecessarily. Four stars because I can't forget this story, when so many leave my brain immediately.

Johnny and Stew are ready for doomsday, thanks to their dad who's a hard-core prepper. So when the power grid unexpectedly shuts down, they figure they'll be okay — even though their dad is out of town on a business trip. They've counted their water, their batteries, and their food supplies — but they haven't counted on the ruthlessness of frightened people who will rob two kids at gunpoint and steal all of their supplies. Luckily, there's a Plan B: Their family friend's ranch is equally well-stocked — if they can travel the 96 miles between them and their friends. Those are 96 dangerous miles though — the criminals who stole their supplies are out there, but so are other people trying to survive, including two kids they meet at an abandoned hotel near the start of their journey. The foursome team up to make their way to the ranch and safety.
This is obviously a classic survival story, set in the Nevada countryside, and it hits all the survival story high points. Johny is a likable character, and Cleverly — the big sister of the other pair of kids) — brings a sense of perspective to the adventure. There are lots of near-misses and lots and lots of walking in the hot Nevada sun with limited water. If you like this kind of story, I bet you'll find plenty to like in this one.
I'm not sure, though (and I guess this is kind of a spoiler?), why the author decides to save the fact that Stew has diabetes as a big reveal — which means that one of the stolen supplies the brothers desperately need is Stew's insulin. Knowing this upfront would have made a lot of Stew's not-so-likable behavior make more sense, and having it as a big revelation feels forced, like the author is saying, "and another thing!" It also explains a lot about Johnny's determination, which borders on obnoxious sometimes. Sometimes withholding information like this can make a story more interesting, but in this case, it just felt annoying. The book also ends without much resolution — there's an epilogue suggesting Johnny and Stew's dad is on his way home now that the power is back on. Maybe that’s all the ending it needed, but it felt abrupt to me. A good read if you’re into this middle grades genre.

96 Miles by J.L. Esplin is a well done survival story with a believable plot and characters that one becomes invested in. I read this in one sitting because I had to find out how it ended!

“Dad always said if things get desperate, it’s okay to drink the water in the toilet bowl.” Isn’t this a great first sentence? An apocalyptic event has happened, there’s no electricity, the brothers are alone, and all their dad and their survival supplies were stolen at gunpoint. Now John and Stewart are on the road trying to get to a friend’s ranch for their supplies. It’s not going well–they’ve picked up a girl and her little brother not to mention Stewart is nonstop fighting with John. If you like survival stories, sibling stories, and adventure, this is a great choice.

This extremely compelling story about John and his younger brother Stew is all about what happens when the power goes out. Not just for a few hours, but for days on end with no resolution in sight. John and Stew's dad is away but they are well prepared, until they are robbed at gun point. Then John and Stew decide they should walk 96 miles to some friends' house. This is a wonderfully told story with lots of great plot twists. I can't wait to put it in my school library.

A tale of two brothers filled with peril. The stakes are high and I was intrigued as these two boys struggle to reach their goal. When you have a vehicle, 96 miles is easy but try covering that distance on foot in the heat, on a deserted highway, with water from a toilet that has to be boiled.

Imagine the power goes out and doesn't come back on for days then weeks. Then imagine your parents are out of town and you live in a desert. While the plot sounds like an original apocalyptic adventure I spent most of the beginning confused. The book goes back and forth in time to answer questions the reader might have. However, I feel like the timing is never quite right. When you think about walking 96 miles then about the journey described in the book it doesn't seem like they walk more than 20 miles. Our main characters are two brothers John and Stew. Stew is a very unlikable character since he fights John on every decision. Stew even goes as far as chugging more than his fair share of water during their desert hike. Toward the end of the story when you learn more about Stew you understand his behavior but for me it was just too little too late. The reality of this story never seemed truly believable to me. Children ages 8 - 14 may connect more than I did.

The book 96 miles is a book that made me think and also made me start to make some of my own plans. John and Stuart find themselves in the middle of a massive blackout. Although their father had left them fully stocked with all the supplies they would need to survive for weeks, if not months they soon found out that untrustworthy people in their community stole everything they would need to survive.
With their dad not able to return from his business trip they find themselves on the move, 96 miles, to their friends ranch. That is when their adventures begin.
I loved this book, full of adventures and twists and it got me to buy a few extra cases of bottled water when I went to the "big box' store.
Thank you #netgalley for the advanced copy.