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96 Miles
96 Miles | J. L. Esplin
3 posts | 4 read | 1 reading | 2 to read
For fans of Gary Paulsens classic Hatchet and Lauren Tarshiss bestselling I Survived series, J. L. Esplin's 96 Miles is a story of survival and desperation as two young brothers confront the worst in humanityand themselves. Dad always said if things get desperate, its okay to drink the water in the toilet. I never thought it would come to that. I thought Id sooner die than let one drop of toilet water touch my lips. Yet here I am, kneeling before a porcelain throne, holding a tin mug for scooping in one hand, and my half-gallon canteen in the other. The Lockwood brothers are supposed to be able to survive anything. Their dad, a hardcore believer in self-reliance, has stockpiled enough food and water at their isolated Nevada home to last for months. But when they are robbed of all their supplies during a massive blackout while their dad is out of town, John and Stew must walk 96 miles in the stark desert sun to get help. Along the way, theyre forced to question their dads insistence on self-reliance and ask just what it is that we owe to our neighbors, our kin, and to ourselves. From talented newcomer J. L. Esplin comes this story of survival and determination as two young brothers confront the unpredictability of human nature in the face of desperate circumstances. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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BC_Dittemore
96 Miles | J. L. Esplin
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Pickpick

My eleven-year-old and I both agree that we liked 96 Miles. Esplin has a solid voice and writing style that I feel would transfer very well to adult fiction. I‘ve seen some complaints that the antagonists are bit tame, but if Esplin‘s target audience is middle grade then I feel that is a small flaw in an otherwise well-rounded story. There are some truly suspenseful moments and some great character building. I found the end particularly solid.

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Daisey
96 Miles | J. L. Esplin
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Panpan

It‘s hard for me to review this clearly and explain my low rating without a major spoiler, so if you want the specifics see the comments.

The story starts with a major power outage in the desert that introduces a 96 mile trek for survival by 2 brothers. However, that power outage is a never explained plot device, and another major point that was fully revealed over halfway through completely hit me the wrong way.

#MiddleGrade #TRS2021

Daisey From the beginning, the younger brother Stew comes across as an irresponsible jerk until it‘s revealed he‘s a diabetic struggling without insulin. The theft of his insulin and their food is what prompted their trek. I have several diabetics in my family, and I have seen their struggles. I don‘t like diabetes being used in this way as a plot point without explanation from the beginning. (edited) 2y
37 likes1 comment
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Daisey
96 Miles | J. L. Esplin
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I‘ve got the house to myself, so I‘m enjoying a cup of coffee by the tree and a few more pages of this book.

#MiddleGrade #TRS2021

JackOBotts Love that coffee mug! 2y
mabell 😍 2y
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