Josie and Neena have been best friends since school. In a few months they will be going their separate ways. Neena will be going away to college and Josie will be going to a local college.
Though neither have them been hiking, they decide to take a last-minute trip through the woods to bond one last time. Armed with maps, water, food, a tent, and very heavy backpacks, they begin their journey but sadly, things go downhill fast. They soon realize that they are shockingly unprepared for what awaits them. When Josie falls down what appears to be a sinkhole, she breaks her leg in several places, and Neena has no choice but to leave her and find help. While Josie lies bleeding in the sinkhole, Neena realizes she has forgotten her inhaler in the backpack she left with Josie. Torn between going back and getting her inhaler and going to find help, she chooses to continue to go down the mountain and take her chances.
I was surprised by how suspenseful this book was. I read the whole thing in one sitting. However the book also took time to focus on the internal tension as well, as Josie and Neena navigate their changing friendship, and their own insecurities. The internal and external played so well together, and I was truly invested in and rooting for both girls the whole time.
Though neither have them been hiking, they decide to take a last-minute trip through the woods to bond one last time. Armed with maps, water, food, a tent, and very heavy backpacks, they begin their journey but sadly, things go downhill fast. They soon realize that they are shockingly unprepared for what awaits them. When Josie falls down what appears to be a sinkhole, she breaks her leg in several places, and Neena has no choice but to leave her and find help. While Josie lies bleeding in the sinkhole, Neena realizes she has forgotten her inhaler in the backpack she left with Josie. Torn between going back and getting her inhaler and going to find help, she chooses to continue to go down the mountain and take her chances.
I was surprised by how suspenseful this book was. I read the whole thing in one sitting. However the book also took time to focus on the internal tension as well, as Josie and Neena navigate their changing friendship, and their own insecurities. The internal and external played so well together, and I was truly invested in and rooting for both girls the whole time.