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Sole Survivor
A riveting survival adventure like Hatchet but real, this astounding true story from two New York Times–bestselling authors chronicles how a California sixth grader survived a deadly mountainside plane crash during a snowstorm.
Eleven-year-old Norman Ollestad is no stranger to extreme danger. Whether it’s surfing big swells off Topanga Beach or skiing in a blizzard, his thrill-seeking father hurls him from one adrenaline rush to another, pushing his son to realize that “anything’s possible.” And with Dad by his side, sometimes Norman believes him.
That motto is put to the ultimate test when, en route to claim a race trophy Norman won the day before, the sketchy small plane they’ve chartered crashes in the San Gabriel Mountains during a snowstorm, killing the pilot and his father—the one person Norman has always counted on for help and encouragement—and badly injuring his dad’s girlfriend. Trapped six thousand feet above sea level, Norman is left to contend with his grief and with his dire circumstances. Should he wait for help and hope rescue arrives before hypothermia sets in, or brave the brutal cold and have a shot at making it out alive?
But scaling down a steep, ice-covered peak is unlike any challenge Norman has faced before. One mistake could be the difference between another step toward safety and a very long fall.
Inspired by the harrowing true experience of New York Times–bestselling author Norman Ollestad, this astonishing, action-packed survival story, co-written with New York Times–bestselling author Brendan Kiely, is about the complicated forces—and people—that shape us. Fast-paced and unputdownable, Sole Survivor is the perfect read for fans of Dusti Bowling’s The Canyon’s Edge, Megan E. Freeman’s Alone, and the I Survived series.
Eleven-year-old Norman Ollestad is no stranger to extreme danger. Whether it’s surfing big swells off Topanga Beach or skiing in a blizzard, his thrill-seeking father hurls him from one adrenaline rush to another, pushing his son to realize that “anything’s possible.” And with Dad by his side, sometimes Norman believes him.
That motto is put to the ultimate test when, en route to claim a race trophy Norman won the day before, the sketchy small plane they’ve chartered crashes in the San Gabriel Mountains during a snowstorm, killing the pilot and his father—the one person Norman has always counted on for help and encouragement—and badly injuring his dad’s girlfriend. Trapped six thousand feet above sea level, Norman is left to contend with his grief and with his dire circumstances. Should he wait for help and hope rescue arrives before hypothermia sets in, or brave the brutal cold and have a shot at making it out alive?
But scaling down a steep, ice-covered peak is unlike any challenge Norman has faced before. One mistake could be the difference between another step toward safety and a very long fall.
Inspired by the harrowing true experience of New York Times–bestselling author Norman Ollestad, this astonishing, action-packed survival story, co-written with New York Times–bestselling author Brendan Kiely, is about the complicated forces—and people—that shape us. Fast-paced and unputdownable, Sole Survivor is the perfect read for fans of Dusti Bowling’s The Canyon’s Edge, Megan E. Freeman’s Alone, and the I Survived series.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
6 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Norman Ollestad
7 books68 followersNorman Ollestad, a New York Times BESTSELLING author, studied creative writing at UCLA and attended UCLA’s undergrad Film School. His writing has appeared in Outside, Men’s Journal and Time. He is married and has two children—a son and daughter—and lives in Venice, California.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a survival story that makes you feel you're right there experiencing what the author went through. It's tragic yet uplifting to see how well Norman took care of Sandra and himself.
This is a survival story that makes you feel you're right there experiencing what the author went through. It's tragic yet uplifting to see how well Norman took care of Sandra and himself.
September 25, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This book is based on the true life experiences of the author. In 1969, Norman Ollestad is involved with lots of outdoor adventures with his father, Norm, who encourages his son to ski, surf, hike, and generally get outside for regular rushes of adrenaline. After winning a slalom race, the two, a long with dad's girlfriend, Sandra, have to go back home, but since the trophy is being awarded the next day, plan on renting a small plane in order to go back. Norman, whose parents are divorced, used to live on the beach in Topanga, California, with his mother, a school teacher, and her boyfriend Nick, but now lives in Palisades. He doesn't like his new town, which isn't as edgy and exciting, and Nick is sometimes abusive. Setting off with pilot Rob Arnold, the group runs into a storm, and the plane crashes in the cold and snowy mountains. Coming to, Norman realizes that the pilot is dead, and he looks for his father and Sandra. He hears Sandra's voice, and sees his father, who is very still. When he finds Sandra, she confirms that his father has died, and the two try to stay warm while they decide whether to stay put or to try to come down off the mountain. Sandra was badly injured, but the two make their way down. With no boots or even gloves, it's tough going, and Sandra eventually falls to her death. In flashbacks, we see glimpses of Norman's life before the accident as he continues his grim journey. Eventually, he makes it to a meadow, and is found by a teenager near Mt. Badly Village. A brief epilogue set a year after the accident discusses Norman's insistence that he be allowed to surf, as it is the only way he can process the tragedy and feel like himself.
Strengths: Survival stories are always popular with my students, with books like Tarshis' I Survived and Johnson's Survivor Diaries seeing frequent circulation. It's was easy to put myself in Norman's well worn Vans and imagine how hard it would have been to navigate the treacherous terrain of the mountains while processing grief. The inclusion of Norman's other pursuits like surfing and skiing make it clear that he had more skills than most to make this journey, and flashbacks to his troubled home life point out a root cause of his grit and resilience. His warm relationships with most of the adults in his life, especially his mother's friend, Eleanor, were nice to see. The book reads quickly, and would be an interesting choice for a school book project. (Three different teachers have assigned these in my school, so I have been thinking a lot about books that would be enjoyable for this task.)
Weaknesses: There were many, many flashbacks, and they slowed down the pace of the story in an odd way. My students often struggle to understand this narrative style, and the jumps in time were especially hard to follow in this story. This seems to be based on Ollestad's 2009 Crazy for the Storm, and I'm curious as to how that title was adapted for young readers. Kiely's background in writing young adult fiction is evident; middle grade writing is just very different.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy Tod Olson's Lost In series, especially the Lost in the Amazon, which is based on a real life plance crash in the early 1970s.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
This book is based on the true life experiences of the author. In 1969, Norman Ollestad is involved with lots of outdoor adventures with his father, Norm, who encourages his son to ski, surf, hike, and generally get outside for regular rushes of adrenaline. After winning a slalom race, the two, a long with dad's girlfriend, Sandra, have to go back home, but since the trophy is being awarded the next day, plan on renting a small plane in order to go back. Norman, whose parents are divorced, used to live on the beach in Topanga, California, with his mother, a school teacher, and her boyfriend Nick, but now lives in Palisades. He doesn't like his new town, which isn't as edgy and exciting, and Nick is sometimes abusive. Setting off with pilot Rob Arnold, the group runs into a storm, and the plane crashes in the cold and snowy mountains. Coming to, Norman realizes that the pilot is dead, and he looks for his father and Sandra. He hears Sandra's voice, and sees his father, who is very still. When he finds Sandra, she confirms that his father has died, and the two try to stay warm while they decide whether to stay put or to try to come down off the mountain. Sandra was badly injured, but the two make their way down. With no boots or even gloves, it's tough going, and Sandra eventually falls to her death. In flashbacks, we see glimpses of Norman's life before the accident as he continues his grim journey. Eventually, he makes it to a meadow, and is found by a teenager near Mt. Badly Village. A brief epilogue set a year after the accident discusses Norman's insistence that he be allowed to surf, as it is the only way he can process the tragedy and feel like himself.
Strengths: Survival stories are always popular with my students, with books like Tarshis' I Survived and Johnson's Survivor Diaries seeing frequent circulation. It's was easy to put myself in Norman's well worn Vans and imagine how hard it would have been to navigate the treacherous terrain of the mountains while processing grief. The inclusion of Norman's other pursuits like surfing and skiing make it clear that he had more skills than most to make this journey, and flashbacks to his troubled home life point out a root cause of his grit and resilience. His warm relationships with most of the adults in his life, especially his mother's friend, Eleanor, were nice to see. The book reads quickly, and would be an interesting choice for a school book project. (Three different teachers have assigned these in my school, so I have been thinking a lot about books that would be enjoyable for this task.)
Weaknesses: There were many, many flashbacks, and they slowed down the pace of the story in an odd way. My students often struggle to understand this narrative style, and the jumps in time were especially hard to follow in this story. This seems to be based on Ollestad's 2009 Crazy for the Storm, and I'm curious as to how that title was adapted for young readers. Kiely's background in writing young adult fiction is evident; middle grade writing is just very different.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy Tod Olson's Lost In series, especially the Lost in the Amazon, which is based on a real life plance crash in the early 1970s.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
May 29, 2025
This is an amazing true-story survival tale of an 11-year-old boy who must make his way to safety after his plane crashes on an icy mountain. It was a fast read and I really enjoyed hearing about how the author had the mental toughness and skill to survive even though everyone else in the crash was killed. The writing is very good, and lent itself to a smooth and easy reading experience.
While I certainly enjoyed the book, I think this would be especially meaningful to readers who know a lot about skiing and surfing. As someone who has never even been to the ocean, I found a lot of the descriptions about surfing difficult to follow. I also had a hard time envisioning the mountain that Norman was climbing down. There are a lot of detailed descriptions, and while they help to make the story realistic, they aren't exactly super meaningful to people who haven't had similar experiences. Considering this is a book marketed towards middle-grade readers I feel like this might be a challenge for others as well.
Overall I feel like this is a well-written and entertaining survival story. I'm happy to see a true story be published in the middle-grade category, as I feel like there are less of them than there should be. I would recommend this book, however I would probably hold off on younger readers since is is pretty dark and touches on some serious topics. I also feel like it could be hard to follow for less strong readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
While I certainly enjoyed the book, I think this would be especially meaningful to readers who know a lot about skiing and surfing. As someone who has never even been to the ocean, I found a lot of the descriptions about surfing difficult to follow. I also had a hard time envisioning the mountain that Norman was climbing down. There are a lot of detailed descriptions, and while they help to make the story realistic, they aren't exactly super meaningful to people who haven't had similar experiences. Considering this is a book marketed towards middle-grade readers I feel like this might be a challenge for others as well.
Overall I feel like this is a well-written and entertaining survival story. I'm happy to see a true story be published in the middle-grade category, as I feel like there are less of them than there should be. I would recommend this book, however I would probably hold off on younger readers since is is pretty dark and touches on some serious topics. I also feel like it could be hard to follow for less strong readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
October 12, 2025
Gutsy and Gut-Wrenching
Norman Ollestad’s survival story is nothing short of astonishing—especially considering he endured the plane crash and mountain descent as a sixth-grader. His will to survive is both humbling and inspiring. Several moments left me gasping at the sheer brutality of his experience: the gradual deaths of the three adults in the crash, the excruciating pain and blood loss, and the relentless struggle to stay alive. At times, it was almost too much to bear.
Often compared to Hatchet, this memoir is far more intense, and the fact that every detail is true gives it a weight that fiction can’t replicate. The vivid descriptions of his injuries and literal cliffhangers aren’t crafted for suspense—they’re the raw, unfiltered realities of a boy relying on the lessons his father taught him through skiing and surfing. The tension is so gripping it’s almost nauseating.
Ollestad’s extraordinary resilience will undoubtedly inspire readers, but I’ll include this book in my classroom library with a content warning and reserve it for students mature enough to handle its emotional and physical intensity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Norman Ollestad’s survival story is nothing short of astonishing—especially considering he endured the plane crash and mountain descent as a sixth-grader. His will to survive is both humbling and inspiring. Several moments left me gasping at the sheer brutality of his experience: the gradual deaths of the three adults in the crash, the excruciating pain and blood loss, and the relentless struggle to stay alive. At times, it was almost too much to bear.
Often compared to Hatchet, this memoir is far more intense, and the fact that every detail is true gives it a weight that fiction can’t replicate. The vivid descriptions of his injuries and literal cliffhangers aren’t crafted for suspense—they’re the raw, unfiltered realities of a boy relying on the lessons his father taught him through skiing and surfing. The tension is so gripping it’s almost nauseating.
Ollestad’s extraordinary resilience will undoubtedly inspire readers, but I’ll include this book in my classroom library with a content warning and reserve it for students mature enough to handle its emotional and physical intensity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Read
April 4, 2025Norman has two lives one with his mom which is calmer and the kind where he takes out the garbage and does homework. The life with his dad is action packed and filled with adrenaline surfing huge waves and skiing when no one else dares to go. When Norman wins a ski race they find out its presentation would be the following morning. His dad is set on him making his hockey game why back down the mountain near the beach. It is a long drive so his dad hires a plane to take them back up the next morning to get the trophy. Against controller’s advice the pilot keeps going yes, they crash into a mountain top covered with ice. Norman is the only one that can go and try to get help but it is shear ice and he doesn’t have his dads help or encouragement but his dad saying “anything is possible” is always in Norman’s head.
This book is filled with action and suspense to the extreme. Norman’s inner dialog that brings up all the difficult memories and times in his life seem to keep him going. This book is Norman Ollestad’s life and this story is true, so anything is possible.
This review copy was provided by Edelweiss
This book is filled with action and suspense to the extreme. Norman’s inner dialog that brings up all the difficult memories and times in his life seem to keep him going. This book is Norman Ollestad’s life and this story is true, so anything is possible.
This review copy was provided by Edelweiss
November 19, 2025
Eleven-year-old Norman Ollestad is no stranger to extreme danger. Whether it’s surfing big swells off Topanga Beach or skiing in a blizzard, his thrill-seeking father hurls him from one adrenaline rush to another, pushing his son to realize that “anything’s possible.” And with Dad by his side, sometimes Norman believes him. That motto is put to the ultimate test when, en route to claim a race trophy Norman won the day before, the sketchy small plane they’ve chartered crashes in the San Gabriel Mountains during a snowstorm, killing the pilot and his father--the one person Norman has always counted on for help and encouragement--and badly injuring his dad’s girlfriend. Trapped six thousand feet above sea level, Norman is left to contend with his grief and with his dire circumstances. Should he wait for help and hope rescue arrives before hypothermia sets in, or brave the brutal cold and have a shot at making it out alive? But scaling down a steep, ice-covered peak is unlike any challenge Norman has faced before. One mistake could be the difference between another step toward safety and a very long fall."--
November 27, 2025
I'm not quite sure what to say... Authors Ollestad and Kiely have crafted what feels like an adventure survival story, but to know that this is Ollestad's *real life* just shook me to my core. To read how he, as an eleven-year-old, survived a horrific helicopter crash that took the life of his father and to then trek dangerously down the mountain to try to save himself was just awe-inspiring and nerve-wracking. It sounds weird to say, but I am looking forward to sharing this book with my middle school students -- I'm always telling them that they can find inspiration in books and how others' stories can give them perspective of their own life, and Ollestad and Kiely beautifully capture this with Ollestad's survival story and childhood reflections. Perfect for middle-grade readers who need action in their books, and for reluctant readers who could benefit from experiencing life outside of their own "bubble".
**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.**
**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.**
May 22, 2025
In Sole Survivor, Norman Ollestad recounts the true story of surviving a devastating plane crash at age 11—and the complex, often turbulent relationship he had with the father, who helped shape him for that moment.
This is more than just a survival story—it’s a powerful reflection on resilience, grief, and the way love can be both inspiring and painful. The writing is vivid, placing you right inside the storm—both literally and emotionally.
💬 “My dad trained me for this moment. And I didn’t even know it.”
Ollestad’s journey is one of courage and self-discovery, told with unflinching honesty.
If you love memoirs that go deep, this one will stay with you long after the last page.
I feel this is a perfect read for kids in the 6th-8th grade.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e arc in exchange for an honest review!
This is more than just a survival story—it’s a powerful reflection on resilience, grief, and the way love can be both inspiring and painful. The writing is vivid, placing you right inside the storm—both literally and emotionally.
💬 “My dad trained me for this moment. And I didn’t even know it.”
Ollestad’s journey is one of courage and self-discovery, told with unflinching honesty.
If you love memoirs that go deep, this one will stay with you long after the last page.
I feel this is a perfect read for kids in the 6th-8th grade.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e arc in exchange for an honest review!
August 16, 2025
In many ways, this book is ideal for classroom use. Survival stories are easy to get students interested in. This one is the right length for middle school, 8th graders? Well written nonfiction is always something I’m looking to add to our classroom. Some students will love this one. There are a couple things that gave me pause. One is that our main character has a present and involved father. I think that is great. Will it be difficult for students with absent or abusive fathers? I don’t know. Just a thought, not all books are for everyone. Also, there’s some terms and descriptions here that people who’ve never been skiing or surfing might not understand. Illustrations would help? If I was teaching this book, I would need to build some vocabulary for better comprehension on this point. It is a good story, though!
October 7, 2025
Sole Survivor is an autobiographical book about the author's tragic experience as an eleven year old survivor of a plane crash. The small plane that he and three others were in crashed into the Californian mountains in 1979 during a winter storm. This book was incredibly depressing. Between the terror Norman felt as he descended the mountain and the flashbacks he included to his life with his mom's abusive boyfriend and his father's devil-may-care lifestyle, there was little hope for a bright future. It is heartening that he became an author and made a success of his life, but not much of that is portrayed in the book.
This book is appropriate for middle school on up. There are scenes of peril, death and abuse. I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
This book is appropriate for middle school on up. There are scenes of peril, death and abuse. I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
December 1, 2025
It definitely meshes with all of the books that are getting tossed around as similar reads and this is a true story of Ollestad with writer Brendan Kiely to help. Kiely's writing is good so the book itself is good because the story really speaks for itself without seemingly, extra dramatics sprinkled in for effect. Could it have been written with more vivid detail or intensity? Sure, in the hands of another writer but it accomplishes the task really well for the intended audience. This is a situation no one should have to find themselves in but Ollestad found a way to survive when others died, including family members.
A harrowing tale that I can't wait to recommend.
A harrowing tale that I can't wait to recommend.
August 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan, and Ollestad/Kiely for the e-ARC of Sole Survivor.
This account of Ollestad's follows his perspective after the plane he boards crashes into a mountain. Living and teaching in New Hampshire, students gravitate towards these accounts; Ollestad's recounting felt akin to Donn Fendler's Lost on a Mountain in Maine. The grit, perseverance, and relatable thought process makes this novel perfect for the middle grades. Ollestad walks us through his grief and survival, and the descriptions are both dark and hopeful.
The protagonist is an eleven year old, and his later retelling really holds onto that youthful and naïve side. He describes his personal life and family relationships, and that makes the story much more rounded and engaging.
Middle school students devour survival stories, and I would love to supply a copy of this novel in my classroom once it's published. I couldn't put it down, and I know my students will enjoy it, too!
This account of Ollestad's follows his perspective after the plane he boards crashes into a mountain. Living and teaching in New Hampshire, students gravitate towards these accounts; Ollestad's recounting felt akin to Donn Fendler's Lost on a Mountain in Maine. The grit, perseverance, and relatable thought process makes this novel perfect for the middle grades. Ollestad walks us through his grief and survival, and the descriptions are both dark and hopeful.
The protagonist is an eleven year old, and his later retelling really holds onto that youthful and naïve side. He describes his personal life and family relationships, and that makes the story much more rounded and engaging.
Middle school students devour survival stories, and I would love to supply a copy of this novel in my classroom once it's published. I couldn't put it down, and I know my students will enjoy it, too!
July 14, 2025
These types of books are not typically my favorite as I am more of a fantasy reader, but this truly was an adventure from start to finish! This is a great purchase for the middle school students. My kids love Canyon's Edge and I Survived so this is a great additional title in our school. I highly recommend if you are looking for adventure, survival, and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat! Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to read this advance copy!
November 5, 2025
Man, what a wild true story, and I was so impressed by how artfully it's told here for young readers. So gripping and intense, while also being so empowering. Really allows kids to live out Norm's story vicariously, the ultimate "what-would-you-do-if-this-happened-to-you" read. Could also have the added bonus of reminding kids that there is thrilling life and adventure to be found beyond their screens. :)
December 2, 2025
I love survivor stories, and this one was a page-turner. An eleven-year-old boy is in a small plane crash with the adventurous father he adores, the father's girlfriend, and a pilot. His experiences of being pushed beyond his comfort zone--physically by his father and mentally by his mom's boyfriend--help him in his push to survive this tragedy. Reminded me of Paulsen's Hatchet and Greci's Surviving Bear Island. He deals with his PTSD by surfing the big waves off Topanga Beach.
November 19, 2025
For kids who love Hatchet, this is their next great read! A middle grade story of survival, which is only possible because of all our main character was taught to be brave through his incredible experiences with his dad.
I kept forgetting that this story is actually true, because it reads so much like a fictional adventure, but that makes it all the more powerful.
I kept forgetting that this story is actually true, because it reads so much like a fictional adventure, but that makes it all the more powerful.
May 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.
This is the true story of Norman who lives in California and whose parents are divorced. Norman loves surfing and skiing because he loves the thrill and rushes that come with the activities. Our story begins with a lot of backstory of Norman's life, and then the action begins when he, his dad, and his dad's girlfriend Sandra, get on a small plane to go skiing, when the plane crashes in the mountains during a snowstorm.
Norman miraculously survived and leaves the scene of the wreck to try to find help. As he struggles with the cold, weather, and trauma he thinks about his experiences before the accident and some of them give him strength to fight for survival.
This will appeal to students who enjoy real-life survival stories.
****I tried to submit my review to NetGalley, but something strange has happened to their website.
This is the true story of Norman who lives in California and whose parents are divorced. Norman loves surfing and skiing because he loves the thrill and rushes that come with the activities. Our story begins with a lot of backstory of Norman's life, and then the action begins when he, his dad, and his dad's girlfriend Sandra, get on a small plane to go skiing, when the plane crashes in the mountains during a snowstorm.
Norman miraculously survived and leaves the scene of the wreck to try to find help. As he struggles with the cold, weather, and trauma he thinks about his experiences before the accident and some of them give him strength to fight for survival.
This will appeal to students who enjoy real-life survival stories.
****I tried to submit my review to NetGalley, but something strange has happened to their website.
November 26, 2025
This is billed as a Hatchet readalike and I agree. Hatchet is not my particular jam, but I know there is an appetite for this type of book.
June 30, 2025
For fans of Gary Paulsen, especially Hatchet, comes a true story of the author's survival of a small plane crash in the California mountains in the middle of winter. The writing is urgent and easy to read, but gives us great insight into the main character's thinking and instincts. This will be a great addition to my 4th grade book club next year!
4.5/5
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
4.5/5
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
October 5, 2025
A true story of a boy who survived a plane crash at 11 years old, this will appeal to middle grade kids who liked Hatchet and/or survival stories.
It is about a surfer and snow skier whose dad is pushing him to try difficult things and push beyond fear.
It is the young reader edition of the adult bestseller Crazy for the Storm. Norm is coming to Crane in a month.
It is about a surfer and snow skier whose dad is pushing him to try difficult things and push beyond fear.
It is the young reader edition of the adult bestseller Crazy for the Storm. Norm is coming to Crane in a month.
May 17, 2025
Sole Survivor is a fast-paced, emotional middle grade survival story perfect for fans of Hatchet or the I Survived series. Told through the eyes of an 11-year-old boy who survives a real-life plane crash, it dives deep not just into survival, but also into grief, guilt, and healing after tragedy.
I loved how engaging and intense the story was, but I gave it 3.5 stars because the heavy use of surfing, skiing, and climbing language made it hard at times to picture what was happening—especially for readers unfamiliar with those sports. It’s a powerful coming-of-age story, best suited for kids around 9–13, but sensitive readers should know it deals with death, divorce, and survivor’s guilt.
Overall, a gripping and emotional read, even if a little tricky to follow in parts!
I loved how engaging and intense the story was, but I gave it 3.5 stars because the heavy use of surfing, skiing, and climbing language made it hard at times to picture what was happening—especially for readers unfamiliar with those sports. It’s a powerful coming-of-age story, best suited for kids around 9–13, but sensitive readers should know it deals with death, divorce, and survivor’s guilt.
Overall, a gripping and emotional read, even if a little tricky to follow in parts!
May 10, 2025
Students are going to love this gripping survival true story. Norman, his dad, his dad’s girlfriend, Sandra, and pilot Rob are on their way to collect Norm’s ski trophy when the plane crashes on a mountain. It’s split wide open, and the pilot is dead. Norm wakes up freezing and realizes he’s stuck on the side of a mountain in a snowstorm. He hears Sandra and realizes his dad is dead. Sandra and Norm walk some, slide and fall, and then Sandra vanishes down the mountain and is gone. Norm knows he has to keep going and save himself using what he learned from skiing and surfing to help keep his balance. He remembers his dad saying, “never give up.” He hears a plane, then eventually sees a boot print. He hears a voice and then staggers out to a road. He is saved.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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