Stranded - by Nikki Shannon Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

"Nature-loving Ava yearns to leave the noise of New York City behind her for a real adventure in the great outdoors--that's why she's thrilled when her parents allow her to move in with her Auntie Raven in the Adirondack Mountains! It's a dream come true...until Auntie Raven is called away and Ava's stay is cut short. But when wires get crossed, Ava finds herself alone in her aunt's secluded cabin. Winter comes early in the mountains, and one night, a single storm will change everything. With a destroyed cabin, no cell reception, and no neighbors for miles, Ava begins to realize this adventure is more than she ever could have imagined. Surrounded by mountains blanketed with snow and ice, Ava is completely on her own. It's the ultimate test...and her newly-developed survival skills may not be enough for her to last through the winter. Ava might not be able to fight the cold and the storms that come her way, but can she work with nature long enough to survive it?"--Publisher description.

Book Synopsis

One storm. One winter. One girl's fight for survival.

A contemporary My Side of the Mountain, Stranded is the story of a wilderness-hungry Black girl from Manhattan whose journey in the Adirondack mountains becomes a nail-biting story of courage, independence, and survival.

"This gripping tale, loaded with suspense and riveting details, is the modern-day answer to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, a fresh and inclusive take on the classic wilderness survival story." -- Kate Messner, award-winning author of Breakout

Nature-loving Ava yearns to leave the noise of New York City behind for a real adventure in the great outdoors--that's why she's thrilled when her parents allow her to move in with her Auntie Raven in the Adirondack Mountains!

It's a dream come true . . . until Auntie Raven is called away and Ava's stay is cut short. But when wires get crossed, Ava finds herself alone in her aunt's secluded cabin. Winter comes early in the mountains, and one night, a single storm will change everything. With a destroyed cabin, no cell reception, and no neighbors for miles, Ava begins to realize this adventure is more than she ever could have imagined.

Surrounded by mountains blanketed with snow and ice, Ava is completely on her own. It's the ultimate test . . . and her newly-developed survival skills may not be enough for her to last through the winter. Ava might not be able to fight the cold and the storms that come her way, but can she work with nature long enough to survive it?

Review Quotes

"Readers will root for Ava as she draws on her ingenuity and strength to survive alone, deep in the Adirondack woods. This gripping tale, loaded with suspense and riveting details, is the modern-day answer to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, a fresh and inclusive take on the classic wilderness survival story." -- Kate Messner, award-winning author of Breakout

"I rooted for Ava the whole way. A great read for those who love tough-as-nails characters and the incredible lengths they go to live, survive, and flourish." - Meika Hashimoto, award-winning author of The Trail

About the Author

Nikki Shannon Smith is from Oakland, California, but she now lives in the Central Valley with her husband and two children. She has worked in elementary education for more than 30 years, and writes everything from picture books to young adult novels. Find her online at nikkishannonsmith.com