Just Keep Walking - by Erin Soderberg Downing

About the Book

"Two years after her parents' surprising and painful split, twelve-year-old Jo and her mom find themselves on the 100-mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail along Lake Superior's north shore--a journey that Jo had always looked forward to hiking with her dad. It's not a situation that either of them ever predicted they'd find themselves in, yet here they are in the wilderness with their entire lives stuffed into a pair of thirty-pound packs. Along the trail, they'll suffer through endless aches and pains, scorching heat, and crippling self-doubt. They'll encounter bears, moose, and other wildlife and meet and collect an assortment of unlikely friends. Day after day, Jo will battle the incessant thoughts that come in and out of her head. But as one obstacle after the next continue to test her strength and ultimate survival, Jo will have to confront her greatest fears head on and learn how to be alone."--

Book Synopsis

A USA Today Bestseller!

A #1 MIBA Bestseller!

Wild meets Gilmore Girls on the trail in this indie bestselling story of resilience and the healing and restorative power of the nature from bestselling author Erin Soderberg Downing

"A fun, heartfelt tale of adventure, family, and determination that will make you just keep reading." -- Dan Gemeinhart, award-winning author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Two years after her parents' surprising and painful split, twelve-year-old Jo and her mom find themselves on the 100-mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail along Lake Superior's north shore--a journey that Jo had always looked forward to hiking with her dad. It's not a situation that either of them ever predicted they'd find themselves in, yet here they are in the wilderness with their entire lives stuffed into a pair of thirty-pound packs.

Along the trail, they'll suffer through endless aches and pains, scorching heat, and crippling self-doubt. They'll encounter bears, moose, and other wildlife and meet and collect an assortment of unlikely friends. Day after day, Jo will battle the incessant thoughts that come in and out of her head. But as one obstacle after the next continue to test her strength and ultimate survival, Jo will have to confront her greatest fears head on and learn how to be alone.

What begins as a journey to prove to her father that she and her mom can make it on their own turns into a quest to rediscover their strength, build resilience, and prove that they can survive--both for themselves and for each other.

Review Quotes

A USA Today Bestseller

MIBA Bestseller

A 2024 MI MISelf in Books List Selection

Iowa Children's Choice Award Nominee

MN Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominee

Oklahoma Sequoyah Award Nominee

Praise for Just Keep Walking

"Nimbly plotted and deftly insightful." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A great choice for libraries looking for realistic fiction about dealing with divorce, as well as those seeking stories about the healing power of nature." -- School Library Journal

If you like my books, then you'll love this one. It's a story filled with adventure and heart." - Dusti Bowling, author of The Canyon's Edge

"Outdoor adventure, a believable but not excessive amount of family tension, and a determined middle grade protagonist--these add up to an absorbing read with a satisfying conclusion." - Cathy Carr, author of 365 Days to Alaska"

"Jo's emotional struggles and humor bring a richness and levity that make this one an enjoyable pageturner." - Afoma Umesi, Reading Middle Grade Blog

"A page-turning adventure story of resilence, forgiveness, and finding one's inner strength." - Elly Swartz, author of Hidden Truths

"A fun, heartfelt tale of adventure, family, and determination that will make you just keep reading." -- Dan Gemeinhart, award-winning author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Praise for Controlled Burn

"Sensitively wrought... Soderburg Downing meaningfully explores the healing power of nature and the beauty of connecting with family in this vibrantly detailed adventure." -- Publisher's Weekly

"A gorgeous, tender, wonderful book. Controlled Burn is a testament to the power and beauty of everyday moments of bravery, compassion, and love." -- Anne Ursu, author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

"A compelling and moving exploration of the bonds of family, overcoming fears, and the power of friendship." -- Hena Khan, award-winning author of Amina's Voice

About the Author

Erin Soderberg Downing has published more than seventy-five highly acclaimed novels for kids, including What Happened Then, Controlled Burn, and Just Keep Walking. She has also written several popular and bestselling series for young readers: The Great Peach Experiment, Puppy Pirates, and Just Like Home. Erin loves reading, swimming, creating pottery, exploring the woods, traveling with her family, and walking around Minneapolis lakes with her mischievous dog, Nutmeg. More info can be found at erinsoderberg.com.