Great book for kids to read! So many of the problems these characters face are ones our kids do too. Making tough decisions, continuing to persevere when things get tough, standing beside those you care about, problem solving. The list goes on!

I know I'm quite a bit older than the YA audience this book is intended for, but I found it to be excellence non the less. I survived my own kayaking accident and I appreciate the many lessons sprinkled throughout the book. Lessons about kayak and river safety, but also about listening to your guides, situational awareness, being prepared, staying calm and not getting cocky. Also, the obvious.....wear a life vest. Always. Every river has it's hazards and they aren't just the rapids. My life vest literally saved my life when I was trapped in a vortex.
Back to the book......excellent story with loads of suspense. The story gets off the ground right off the bat and the sense of trepidation starts early. We witness what can go right when one pays attention and knows their limits, and what can go wrong when one thinks and act like the know it all, and how panic always makes things worse.
I'd recommend this book for older kids, young adult and anyone who enjoys a tale of survival. It kind of reminded of the old "Drama in Real Life" section of Reader's Digest. One more thing, this would also be a great book to give to any kid who lives near a river that is used for recreation. "Floating the river" is a daily past time in my time. I rarely see life jackets or helmets except with the whitewater raft tours. I often see lots and lots of alcohol mixed with tubing or sit on top kayaks and no vests. If my mind had been dulled by alcohol and I would not have had the presence of mind to pull the ripcord on my vest when I was trapped underwater...right next to shore on a "calm" section of the river. My mistake was addressed in the book too...(.bending to the side to avoid a tree capsized me). There is much value in this book! Kids may not want to read a "how to" or "river safety" book, but they may read an advendure novel and with this one they may actually learn somethinhg to save their life.
This 61 year old young adult/old fart kayaker enjoyed it and appreciated the lessons within. Thank you #netgalley for alowing me to read and review #IntoTheVortex.

Into the Vortex is listed as an adventure novel but it is much, much more. A young boy is rescued from an accident on the Opa River by a young kayaker. This is, as the full title reads, a story of resilience. The boy must overcome all that life has thrown at him, and in the process learns the importance of hope, and friendship. A great book for teens, many adults will enjoy this as well. There are many points of discussion that make this a great book club or classroom book. I thank Net Galley for the ARC.

My daughter loved this book, it was perfect for her age 9, it was easy to read and she really enjoyed the story behind it.

A story for middle-grade readers and up with themes of hope, resilience, and truth. I enjoyed the author's willingness to touch on these topics to inspire young readers. Beautiful and poignant.

Though dealing with grief and the myriad changes losing a loved one brings, Kayden’s journey is one of hope and resilience. He shows determination even in the most harrowing and hopeless of situations, and the lessons imparted by this book are useful not only for the middle grade students it’s targeting but for people of all ages.