What a fantastic debut by Joslin Brorsen! This book is not just a book about survival in the harshest of environments but also about surviving our own inner battles whether it be celiac disease or even learning how to interact appropriately and respectfully with someone who is on the spectrum. Seeing those characters, especially Sadie, advocate for those with celiac and Autism was so refreshing and LONG overdue in middle-grade books. This story can help teach children and adults how to advocate for those who either cannot advocate for themselves or who feel like society won't allow them to. Seeing another character like Rad learn this and watching him also hold Sadie accountable was a very powerful moment and one I think will stay with a lot of middle grade readers. Rad's ADHD diagnosis and inner thoughts will also resonate with many of my middle grade readers, and I am thrilled that they will see this on the page as well.
Rad and Sadie had excellent chemistry; their back and forth banter and competitive nature made for a great story. I loved that the chapters were short as well, aiding in the fast, suspenseful pace and nail-biting question of "will they" / "won't they" be rescued? The found family aspect of this story, especially in Rad's case was beautifully composed, showing that sometimes the strongest bonds we make are those outside of our family, but in the end, we still crave that familial compassion as well.
It is clear that Brorsen not only writes from experience but also research. As a mom of a gluten intolerant family and as someone who has multiple loved ones on the spectrum, I greatly appreciated the care and factual details provided in this story. I cannot wait to add this book to our library in the Spring, and I look forward to more titles from Brorsen in the future! Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy!

Middle grade adventure is my favorite children's genre. Joslin Brorsen delivers a fantastic adventure story with Wilderness Hacks. I absolutely loved the characters and the fact that Rad one of the main characters is a wilderness survival Youtube star will appeal to so many kids. When Sadie's brother talks her into applying for a spot on Rad's next adventure, she agrees because her brother means everything to her. Now Sadie finds herself rafting down a river with Rad and their guide and the river has begun to rise. What seemed like a tame video for Rad's Youtube channel is now a fight for survival. This is one of the best middle grade adventure stories I've read in a while. It will be perfect for fans of Dusti Bowling. Highly recommended for all middle grade libraries.

Wilderness Hacks is a fast paced book with dual points of view as Sadie, a twelve year old "smother hen," goes on an adventure with Rad, a thirteen year old YouTube survivalist influencer. Sadie's younger, autistic brother, Silas, finds a contest to spend a day with his YouTube hero, but there is an age requirement. He convinces his big sister to apply in his place and she wins by eating fried grubs. What starts out as a simple day rafting trip becomes a perilous fight for survival after an earthquake destroys a dam upriver. Sadie's initial bad opinion of Rad and his equally dismal view of her get in the way of their cooperation but over the course of their journey back to safety, trust and friendship form. I would recommend this book to middle grades on up. There are scenes of nongraphic death and peril.

I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

An amazing survival story. Hatchet is a hit book among middle grade readers. I can wait to introduce kids to this book. So fantastic.