Lost in the River of Grass

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby 

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Publication Date: March 1, 2011

Page Count: 264 

Description from Goodreads:

"I don't realize I'm crying until he glances at me. For a moment, I see the look of anguish in his eyes, then he blinks it away and slips off into the water. I immediately think of the gator. It's still down there somewhere..."

A science-class field trip to the Everglades is supposed to be fun, but Sarah's new at Glades Academy, and her fellow freshmen aren't exactly making her feel welcome. When an opportunity for an unauthorized side trip on an air boat presents itself, it seems like a perfect escape—an afternoon without feeling like a sore thumb. But one simple oversight turns a joyride into a race for survival across the river of grass. Sarah will have to count on her instincts—and a guy she barely knows—if they have any hope of making it back alive.

Lost in the River of Grass takes on the classic survival genre using one of the country's most unique wild places as a backdrop. In this tense, character-driven thriller, Sarah must overcome prejudice and the unforgiving wilderness in a struggle to survive.

Lost in the River of Grass was not something I would usually read, but I’m glad I did. This book was based on a true story, as Ginny Rorby states on her website. “Lost in the River of Grass is based on the true story of my husband’s ill-fated trip to the Everglades with his then girlfriend in his airboat. While they were ‘visiting’ one of the hunting camps in the Everglades, the airboat sank. It took them three days to walk out. I wrote the original story of that ordeal for Fort Lauderdale’s Gulf Coast magazine, published in the late 1990s.” Check out her website here. This book reminds me of Hatchet in some ways. It’s a story about survival with a little humor and romance thrown in. 

At first I wasn’t really that into this book but it gets better page after page. The characters of Sarah and Andy are so believable. Everything about them is so true to a almost fourteen, and fifteen year old, the way they act and how they handle situations; but not in an annoying “gosh you’re so immature and childish way.”  Although I have to say I’m 24 and would probably freak out too if I was in that situation! As the story progressed I really started to like Sarah and Andy! There were so many times that I felt like I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what the next moment would bring. I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a quick read!

I was able to review this book, courtesy of Netgalley.com. Thanks Netgalley!