15 Secrets to Survival by Natalie D. Richards is an adventurous middle grade survival thriller read. The author is making her debut in this market but it’s certainly not her debut novel overall with having several hit young adult thrillers already.

Classmates Baxter, Abigail, Turner and Emerson were put together as a team in school but couldn’t find a way to get along forcing them all to put in extra credit to make up their grade. Next thing the kids know they are packed up and headed off to the Montana mountains for survival training.

Baxter’s Uncle Hornsby lives in a remote cabin and is all set up and ready when the group arrives to begin dishing out survival tips. However, as soon as the adults have headed out the kids begin to question Uncle Hornsby’s methods of “teaching” but it’s when he completely disappears Baxter really begins to worry.

Ok, so I know I am way too old for middle grade novels but every once in a while I just need to pick up something “cute” for an escape. Being familiar with Natalie D. Richards’ young adult thrillers, (which I am also too old for but who’s checking I.D.s, right?) 15 Secrets to Survival caught my attention so I gave it a shot and was glad I did. This was certainly a thrill ride from start to finish with the pages flying by to see if our young group would survive. I felt like I was right there with them freezing my rear off too and tensed up with every new obstacle! Fun story and I will certainly return to this author no matter what age range she writes for next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a fun middle grade adventure/survival story. It was fast-paced with a lot of suspense. I enjoyed how the survival "secrets" were shared with the kids. I also liked how the kids showed growth throughout the story. It was a book about friendship and understanding everyone's individual strengths, but that message never seemed too heavy-handed. Though there were a few things that seemed pretty far-fetched in the book, it was nonetheless a fun and interesting read, with a good blend of humor, suspense and touching moments. Readers that enjoy adventure and survival stories will likely enjoy this one.

As a rule, I'm a fan of survival stories. Personally I prefer the solo survivalist but when you get a book like this one, where a survival scenario forces disparate kids to work together, it achieves something different. Now, this book differs from the genre standard in that their scenario is, at least initially, organized. It's planned. This adds in elements of a puzzle plot, a type that tends to go over well with young readers. It's also the element of this book that give me the most pause. Because the book is built on the idea of these kids put in a potentially dangerous situation by someone they barely know. For an adult reader, it's full of red flags. The plot itself is decent, not terribly unexpected or complex. So it's a decent read that might spark some conversation but not one that would be my go-to first choice.

Fun cover and a fantastic survival story!
Four kids must learn to get along in the mountains of Montana and ticking clock adds to the intrigue.

I enjoyed the scavenger hunt and when Uncle Hornby goes missing things get tense for the group! The pacing of this story kept me reading and overall it's a fantastic message about friendship and working as a team.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Kids for the e-arc.

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15 Secrets to Survival is a Middle Grade Survival Thriller and is a Middle Grade debut for beloved author, Natalie D. Richards. I have enjoyed quite a few YA-stories from Richards, including Five Total Strangers and Four Found Dead, so I was very excited when I learned she was going to be branching into the Middle Grade genre.

I always enjoying seeing what an author I have enjoyed can do in a new space. It can be hit or miss, but this one was definitely a hit for me. As expected, Richards brought some serious thrills and intensity to this, while also bringing the humor and softer moments you would expect from a Middle Grade story.

We follow a group of four kids, Baxter, Abigail, Turner and Emerson, who have sort of been forced together their whole lives due to their parents all being friends. Truth be told though, they sort of drive each other nuts. After they get in trouble at a school for fighting with one another, they're forced to participate in an extracurricular project that will push them outside of their comfort zones, and will hopefully get them past their differences. The goal is to get them to work together. At least that is what their parents and teachers want. We'll see...

The four get taken to a remote wilderness location and dropped off with Baxter's elderly Uncle Hornsby, who used to run a wilderness camp for kids. The parents seem to think he is just the person to get these kids in line.
The kids are shocked. It's cold, it's rustic, it's in the freaking middle of nowhere. Are they seriously getting left here with this eccentric old man?

Just like that though, it happens. Their parents leave and their true adventure weekend begins. Using pages from a survival notebook, the kids begin a sort of scavenger hunt through a series of challenges that wins them more pages to the notebook as they go.

The notebook truly clues them in on how to survive on their own in the rough terrain. After Uncle Hornsby appears to go missing though, it's a race against the clock as inclement weather closes in. They need to try to survive themselves, as well as find Uncle Hornsby before it's too late. Will the kids be able to work together to get everyone safely through the weekend, or will their past disagreements and hurts get in the way?

I did really enjoy this story. I found Baxter's perspective fun to follow, although there were some repetitive jibes towards Uncle Hornsby, particularly in the beginning, that I didn't find as funny as I think they were meant to be. Other than that though, I did enjoy getting the entire story through Baxter's narration.

The kids each excel in different areas and that fact initially is sort of seen as a reason why they don't get along. I liked watching each of the kids be able to bring their strengths into the weekend and I think it helped them to all gain a new respect for one another.

You definitely go on a journey with these kids and it seriously does get intense. There were moments, I wasn't sure how they were going to get past certain things. I loved watching the evolution of their relationships through it all. I loved the survival aspects as well. Richards included pages from the notebook the kids were following through their challenges. I liked the way those pages were displayed and the level of information they presented.

I also liked the use of a storm approaching to up the intensity of the plot. I thought Richards did a great job building-out the setting, creating a dangerous atmosphere and adding a bit of suspense. This one definitely got my pulse-racing in multiple scenes. I grew attached to these characters. I loved the growth they each displayed and I ended up feeling proud of them for everything they overcame by the end.

I would definitely recommend this to any Middle Grade Readers, particularly if you like Survival stories, or Thrillers that feature inclement, winter weather.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This was a blast and I hope Richards continues to write in the MG-space. If she does, I will absolutely be reading it!

What a kind, heart-warming, middle-grades survival thriller by Natalie D Richards! Four middle schoolers get in trouble for texting unkind things in the group text during their academic team competition. As a consequence, their parents send them on a week-long trip off-grid to learn teamwork and survival skills with our narrator Baxter's great-uncle.

Through a series of events, the kids learn not only how to get along, but also how to depend on each other. Just as each student is an expert in a specific area of interest for academic team, each has a unique talent or gift that helps the group survive. This story contains sweet lessons of forgiveness, trust, and owning one's mistakes.

In the midst of all these life lessons, though, the kids are scrambling to survive in the snowy wilderness with minimal supplies and no grown-ups - just each other. The bulk of the book is one adventure after another as the tweens solve puzzles and follow clues to survive. Also in the mix is Vivi, Baxter's tiny little sister, who isn't supposed to be part of the adventure but becomes the star of the show. Vivi's character is so well-written, I could picture her toddler cuteness and imagine her sweet voice.

I think young middle schoolers will really enjoy this book. The beginning is a little tiresome because the kids bicker a lot; but, once the action starts, the nail-biting scenes come fast and frequently. The setting is so appealing: the rustic, old cabin, the winter storm, the swollen icy river. This book is a great combination of sweetness, adventure, and wintery atmosphere; it has it all!

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Ms. Richards for the opportunity to read and review 15 Secrets to Survival.

I love this cover. This is a first – the four main characters don’t even like each other and that’s putting it mildly. A total screw up leaves them to face the consequence together. They are sent to the mountains of Montana to learn about teamwork. Now these are some not-taking-your-crap kind of parents. That alone is good reason for any middle grader to read this book. While they are sequestered with Uncle Hornby, the parents go on vacation – so on top of being miserable, they get to take care of the baby too. Besides thinking this is funny myself, the baby sister adds the humor.

The four plus one set out on a scavenger hunt to find the key to the cabin. Poof – plot twist! Uncle Hornby goes missing. Danger, resentment, and being unwilling to work as a team, brings out the best and worst of the group. Like I said before, the cover made me choose this book, the fantastic story kept me turning pages. In the end, I loved the whole package.

Baxter and his group of "forced" friends (friends because their parents are life-long friends, not by choice), finally push the limits of adult patience. After botching a competition and having a fight through text messages, the adults at school and the adults at home feel the kids need to learn to work together and value each others' skills and strengths. The parents send the kids to Baxter's uncle on a survival expedition. When things go sideways and Baxter's uncle is injured, the kids truly must depend on themselves and each other.

This book reminded me of Andrew Clements "A Week in the Woods." There was plenty of action/adventure and a steady dose of humor. I feel like Richards created relatable characters and the adventure was unique and engaging. My one criticism should be taken with a grain of salt - as a mother, I had constant issues with understanding how the parents could have left a toddler with the older kids to care for in a survival setting. A more independent young child - yes, but a baby who needs fed and diapered and was left alone for periods of time? I cringed often.

Solid addition for an upper elementary/middle school library.

Thank you to Random House Children’s for this arc as well as Netgalley!

This book is about survival and overcoming a situation that isn’t ideal. The beginning was slow — but necessary to develop our characters and how tenuous their relationships truly are. Throughout the story, we get a more interesting and almost thriller fit to it. We learn about survival skills which is good for the age group (middle/high school) since some of these things we don’t always learn right away. With a tale of responsibility, and learning to forgive, Natalie D. Richards weaves a pretty awesome story.

I have to admit I was expecting a thriller and was surprised that in fact 15 secrets to Survival was more than that. At first I was not keen on the so called friends but loved Vivi her antics and calling Baxter Baxturd was hilarious.

But as the characters worked together and put together with the pages written by Baxter's Great Uncle they learned a lot and so did I. Oh boy there was a lot of danger throughout which helped with the plot. I also love the short chapters too and this added to the story.

This book would be an ideal book for a school curriculum or a book club as there is so much that could be discussed.

For all the reasons above I am giving 15 Secrets to Survival 4 stars

Calling parents, middle-grade teachers, librarians, or anyone who loves an adventure tale with good life lessons, grab this book now! You will cheer for the Getalong Gang as they learn to work together and survive a weekend in the wilderness.

What I loved:
✨Environmental Science: Each Survival Secret offers factual tidbits about our environment. Perfect for teaching science in an unconventional way!
✨Life Lessons: Readers witness firsthand how words matter. The way you treat people matters. Apologizing when you’re wrong matters. I love this quote, “…you can't take the bad things back. You need to figure out a way to move forward.” And finally, forgiveness matters.
✨Narration: Michael Crouch!! I love everything he added to the story - well-timed humor (yes, I laughed out loud), softer tones when the member of the gang realized they hurt a friend’s feelings, and the range of his voice from Uncle Hornsby (mm-hmm) and baby Vivi (calling Turner “Turd-er”). If you have a road trip with your kids, listen to this audiobook!!

15 Secrets to Survival is Natalie D. Richards's first attempt at a middle-grade novel, and she knocks it out of the park! Perfect for any 4th through 7th grader who loves to read something funny, thrilling, and about friendships or any parent who wants an entertaining read-aloud for bedtime.

A fast-paced adventure following a moose, a survival scavenger hunt and a missing uncle. Four students who cheated on a team project are sent to a survival camp to learn how to work as a team. They must follow the clues in order to win the task and help someone survive. A great read for middle age students who need to learn the meaning of team work.

With plenty of friendship drama, middle grade readers will find 15 Secrets to Survival very engaging, relatable, and enjoyable. This fast-paced adventure story was hard to put down. Children will be on the edge of their seats until the very end.

After treating each other poorly in an academic competition, four friends are challenged to survive in the wild with nothing but a survival guide - only the survival guide is incomplete, and they have to uncover clues to find the fifteen secret survival sheets and put it all together. I found the fifteen survival tips sheets very helpful and factual. I think children will find this information valuable should they ever find themselves in a situation where they have to survive in the outdoors.

This is a new favorite middle-grade adventure/survival story for me! This book is perfect for children who love Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, adventure, camping, hiking, surviving, and a good laugh! I also think this book teaches some great life lessons about friendship, loyalty, and appreciating differences. 15 Secrets to Survival is a great addition to classrooms and libraries.

Thank you to Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press and @NetGalley for the gifted ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review


#15SecretsToSurvival #NetGalley #childrenslit #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks

I've enjoyed all of Natalie Richards' books. I wasn't sure what I'd think of her writing for children. As it turns out, kind of delightful. There were some important lessons about getting along and some thrilling moments. Nothing like the thrilling in her previous works, but enough for my students. I kept thinking about the survival stories my students love, even now. Imagine a compare and contrast of this and something like My Side of the Mountain (which my students still devour). We could have something here.

If the catchy title doesn’t lure the reader in, then the adorable cover on this book is sure to do the trick. (Who doesn’t want to read a book that has a moose on the cover?) However, while the cover might give the impression that this is a light-hearted book, it actually is anything but. After a hurtful incident, a group of four non-friends are forced to spend time together in a remote part of the Montana wilderness. What starts out as a group bonding exercise, shortly takes a dangerous turn. The narrative is told from the view of one of the four middle school characters, Baxter. Through the course of the story, there is some serious self-awareness inflicted upon the four students.

Initially, the set-up for 15 Secrets to Survival seemed to be a bit of a stretch, but the narrative definitely gained momentum as the story progressed and it was an engaging read. This novel would appeal to readers who like adventure, nature, and survival situations. Plus, with a diverse set of characters, it will appeal to a wide range of young readers.

'15 Secrets to Survival' by Natalie D. Richards is a nice middle grade adventure story. The layout is nice for younger readers with sporadic illustrations and cut away-style boxes with information from the guide.

This is kind of a wacky premise that requires a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief, but I think it will be commercially appealing to middle grade readers who enjoy puzzles, escape rooms, survival stories, and ensemble casts subverting Breakfast Club-esque stereotypes. I do think it was a little strange that it was set in the winter and not the summer, but overall this is a fun read.

I love this author! This was a great middle grade book, but since she usually writes thriller, I was constantly expecting something sinister to happen to the kids! I'm glad that wasn't the case. There was a lot of action and suspense. I think young readers will enjoy this book very much. The cover tends to make you think it is a lighter and funnier read, but I think mystery and suspense readers will enjoy very much.

15 Secrets to Survival is a thrilling and suspenseful middle grade novel that follows four classmates who have to survive in the wilderness with nothing but a survival handbook. The author, Natalie D. Richards, is a New York Times bestselling author of several young adult thrillers, and this is her middle grade debut1.

The story begins when Baxter, Abigail, Turner, and Emerson break a school rule and are sent to Baxter’s great-uncle’s cabin for an extra credit project. They expect a boring weekend of team building exercises, but things take a turn for the worse when their instructor disappears, and they find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere with no phone, no food, and no shelter. The only thing they have is a survival guide with 15 secrets to staying alive in the wild. They soon realize that they are not alone in the woods, and that there are dangers lurking everywhere. They have to work together to overcome their fears, their differences, and their secrets, and find a way back to civilization before it’s too late.

The novel is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of twists and turns. The author creates a realistic and immersive setting that makes the reader feel like they are part of the adventure. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own personality, strengths, and flaws. The author also explores the themes of friendship, trust, courage, and resilience, and shows how people can grow and change through adversity. The novel is suitable for readers aged 10-14 who enjoy survival stories, mystery, and adventure. It is also a great choice for classroom discussions on earth science and survival skills.

15 Secrets to Survival is a captivating and inspiring read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. It is a testament to the power of teamwork, determination, and hope in the face of challenges. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story with a lot of heart.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of 15 Secrets to Survival. In true Natalie D. Richards fashion, this book is exciting, if sometimes a bit implausible. I liked the characters, I believed in their relationships, and though I struggled a little bit with the idea that the parents would leave a toddler on a survivalist learning adventure, I was willing to set that aside for the story because if I were the target audience, I probably wouldn't think about it like I do as a parent.

Overall, this was a good read that I think my adventure lovers will enjoy!