Book Review of The Search and Rescue Files

If you know teens who enjoy adventure books, check out my book review of The Search and Rescue Files by M. Liz Boyle. This collection of seven short stories is the fourth book in her YA series, Off the Itinerary. If you haven’t read Avalanche, Chased, and Ablaze, you might want to read those first because the seven short stories in The Search and Rescue Files refer to them. But you’ll still be able to enjoy the different rescue scenarios even if you haven’t read the previous books.

College-age Marlee Stanley is the main character in the seven stories. She and her boyfriend Marshall are going to school to become wilderness guides and learns about herself and God during the rescues. What I enjoyed most about the stories was the detailed rescues. The author obviously knows what she’s writing about, and her knowledge makes the stories that much more realistic.

I also liked the variety of the rescues. Some stories feature ones you would expect in the American wilderness–lost hunters or an injured hiker. But one story involves possible drug dealers, and another concerns enacting a white water rescue without the proper equipment. The most unusual one involves hikers who start throwing up in the middle of a five-day hike. I like how Marlee suddenly has to become a detective and figure out what the sick people ate and drank in common so she can determine who will stay well and who might still get sick.

Ms. Boyle also shares some thoughtful insights into Marlee’s experience as a rescuer. It seemed very realistic to me for Marlee to feel like the world should stop and take notice when a young woman endures a possible life-changing spinal injury.

M. Liz Boyle has often been a guest blogger on JPC Allen Writes. You can also read more of my reviews of YA books.

What’s one of your favorite books for teens?