Wolf Storm: An Epic Survival Adventure About Wolves and Friendship for Kids

by Dee Garretson

Starring in his first movie should be a blast for Stefan... and it would be, if only it would stop snowing...

This is Stefan's big break. He's on location in the mountains far from home for his first movie role, filming a blockbuster sci-fi adventure. The props, the spaceships, and the trained wolves on set should add up to a dream job, but acting turns out to be much tougher than he ever imagined, and he feels like his inner loser is all that's showing through. From the way his famously stuck-up co-star, Raine, treats him, he's pretty sure she thinks so too. And worst of all, no one will believe his claim that there are wild wolves haunting the forest around the set.

When a blizzard strikes, isolating the young co-stars and bringing hungry feral wolves into the open, Stefan must take on his biggest role yet - working together with his co-stars to survive. With no second takes, they only have one chance to get it right.

LIGHTS,
CAMERA,
ACTION!

Dee Garretson takes suspense and danger to new heights with her thrilling tale of friendship and survival against all odds.

Genres: Adventure, Middle Grade, Survival, Fiction, Action, Childrens, Young Adult

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2011

Reviews

[Tvaleros (SpadesHighReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so exciting! I felt as if I was in the story or watching it all unfold before me eyes. For a middle grade novel it is very well written. It grasps you and has you wanting to hurry and find out if they make it out alive, become wolf chow or human-sicles (popsicles).

Wolf Storm had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath until I got to the end of the chapter. Where there I'm taken back to the top of the roller coaster. What a ride! =)

Stefan, well in the beginning of his teenage years, has just started his acting career. He never intended to audition for the role, but when he was asked to try out he unintentionally got the part. And by the twist of fate he ironically takes a similar role in his real life 'disaster'.
At first, Stefan didn't believe that he belonged and that he couldn't keep up with expectations that are needed for his acting role, especially since he had Raine constantly giving him the stink eye, and Sherman giving him attitude on his inadequate acting. But everything changes and he realizes there is more to him; It 'only' took them being stranded, avalanched, and hurt to near freezing to realize it.
(did you catch my hint of sarcasm -_^)

Everything was fine and moving along until everyone decided to go into town for a break. From there everything takes a turn for the worse.
A gripping tale of being stuck in the snowy mountains and the struggle to keep alive till help comes.
Imagine taking care of a 13 year old girl whose always in the Lime Light, a 9 year old that's still too young to know things & has asthma problems no less! And an old man that's on the brink of a heart attack. Oh boy!!
With no food, limited resources, no cellphones (OMG!!), ice and snow everywhere, and hungry wolves waiting for you to make a mistake.
Where's Bear Grylls when you need him!!?? =)

Wolf Storm is a great story giving off the message that you can overcome anything with perseverance, that obstacles overcome makes you stronger, that wild one-eyed wolves are bad news, to always have a lighter on your person, and it's a good a idea to maybe want to have your cellphone with you at ALL TIMES!! ^_^


Thank you Ms Garretson & HarperCollins for a thrilling ride!! And now please let me excuse myself while I go get my heartbeat back to normal.

[Kitty Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: "Wolf Storm"
Author: Dee Garretson
Published By: Harper / Harper Collins
Age Recommended: 8 +
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5

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Review: I adore Dee Garettson, and will definitely seek out other novels of hers to read and share with my daughter. “Wolf Storm” is a perfect adventure for children age 8-12 years. Even as an adult I found myself completely enthralled and unable to put this book down.

The story is about three children hired to act in a movie that takes place in the snowy, icy lands of the Carpathian Mountains. When the adults head into town for dinner the night after a shoot, leaving the children alone with a cook that cannot speak English and the elderly actor Cecil, who is rumored to be bad luck on movie sets, the true adventure begins.

This tale is heroic, adventurous, exciting, and intriguing; a true delight for all ages and I highly recommend it! Please do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this one!

Synopsis: This is Stefan’s big break. He’s on location in the mountains far from home for his first movie role, filming a blockbuster sci-fi adventure. The props, the spaceships, and the trained wolves on set should add up to a dream job, but acting turns out to be much tougher than he ever imagined, and he feels like his inner loser is all that’s showing through. From the way his famously stuck-up co-star, Raine, treats him, he’s pretty sure she thinks so too. And worst of all, no one will believe his claim that there are wild wolves haunting the forest around the set. When a blizzard strikes, isolating the young co-stars and bringing hungry feral wolves into the open, Stefan must take on his biggest role yet—working together with his co-stars to survive. With no second takes, they only have one chance to get it right.

Lights,
Camera,
Action!

Dee Garretson takes suspense and danger to new heights with her thrilling tale of friendship and survival against all odds.

Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.probo...

[Haleigh Silveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was honestly one of the best books I ever read. There is so much action it keeps you excited about reading it throughout. It starts out about Stefan explaining about the movie. The movie is supposed to take place on earth far into the future and Stefan, along with Raine, Jeremy, and Cecil come back and find an "ice planet". Stefan wasn't originally trying to get the part, his best friend was; but he soon proves to Raine, a somewhat experienced actress, that he shouldn't have gotten it. One night after most of the adults have left the lodge to go into the village, only a few people are left. They are: Stefan, Jeremy, Raine, and Cecil, and their wolves (in the movie), Boris, Natasha, and Phoebe. The next morning, Raine and Stefan go outside to get some firewood for the fireplace, because the power has gone out. But they hear a loud noise and the start of some rumbling. They soon find out what the noise is. The small group of actors and wolves then have to work together to survive after the avalanche in the mountains of Slovakia, while the cold never leaves them and a pack of wild wolves is on their trail, watching their every move. It is up to Stefan to lead them and protect them as they struggle to make it in the freezing wilderness until help reaches them. I think my favorite character was Stefan because of his bravery. The tremendous responsibility of protecting the others and leading them to safety is placed on him, and he might struggle a little, but he tries his best and I think that's a good quality. The fact that he was hurt and still kept going is an admirable quality in my eyes. All of them persevered till the end, and never let a single obstacle stop them. To many other characters in the book, they became unstoppable heroes.

[Melissa Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An age-appropriate middle grade adventure story that takes place in the snowy mountains of an Eastern European country after a blizzard and subsequent avalanche strand three kids and an old man with three trained wolves and a small dog on a movie set. Everyone else in the story, including ALL of the chaperones (!) go into town for the evening, leaving the kids (Stefan, Raine, and Jeremy) behind with only Cecil left in the lodge. There is a snowstorm that keeps everyone away overnight and, in the morning, an avalanche destroys the lodge where the kids and Cecil are staying and blocks the road to town. They have to find a way to survive in the snow until help arrives, while also fending off a pack of wild wolves.

The story starts out slow, but the adventure really ramps up later on. I thought the wild wolves would've been a bit more of a nuisance than they were, but this is a story for children. I love a good survival story, so I enjoyed how the kids Macgyvered various items into useful supplies. It's fun to ask myself what I might have done in their situation.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adventure story takes place in Slovakia, far away from their homeland. When a blizzard hits, the children, one adult and tame wolves are stranded in an isolated lodge and scary, life-threatening situations grab the reader until the very end. Geared for young adults but as an older adult, I couldn't put this book down till the last word! Great read!

[Chris Bridich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wolf Storm was about a guy who goes to the snowy wilderness of Europe to film a movie and ends up being caught up in a blizzard and avalanche. This book is kind of slow paced at the start but then becomes better during the action part of the book.

[Raelyn Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book at my local bookshop and needless to say loved it. It’s been years since I’ve actually read the book, but I can still remember a lot of the details and scenes that take place. Highly recommend it.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was really good i was really excited to read it i like the part were the wolf fell in love with the human

[Olivia]

Loved it

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense, but appropriate, read for fifth grade and up.

[anonymousreader]

to-read

[Sarah Stoess · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD + loved all the action and the charcters

[Dale Zweibohmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not particularly fond of scary stories, especially not the horror genre, but I do love survival stories. I'm not sure why, because I also love my creature comforts, but for whatever reason, I do love survival stories. This particular survival story I enjoyed, especially because it's very different than others I've read.

First, the location, Slovakia is not one I've ever seen in a middle grade/young adult book, or in any book come to think of it. Garretson does a fabulous job of creating the setting. I could practically feel the cold. It made me want to curl up in bed with a nice cup of hot chocolate. At the same time, I felt a strong urge to explore the partially restored lodge that Stefan and his co-stars, Raine, and Jeremy are staying in. For a survival story to really work, at least in my opinion, the setting needs to be carefully depicted. Garretson does a great job of that.

Second, characters, Stefan immediately becomes a sympathetic character as he struggles with his acting. Anyone whose made mistakes in front of any kind of audience can relate to Stefan's feelings of incompetence. And yet, Stefan, is desperate to succeed as an actor because his family desperately needs the money. Raine comes off at first as a spoiled star, yet as the book proceeds it's fun to see another, rather unexpected side of her. Let's just say, Stefan's frustrations with her are not surprising, if rather amusing (later in the book). At first, Raine just made me roll my eyes, but later I came to like her and she seemed much more down to earth. Jeremy is a nice addition to the story, as a bright and caring individual.

In order for a survival story to work, the plot needs to be believable however unlikely it might be. I found this particular plot quite believable. People underestimating the weather, unexpected events, how often do those things happen in real life. All too often unfortunately. The mishaps on the set I had no problem accepting as I'm sure this type of thing happens in the real world, especially when working with tamed(?) animals like wolves. I do have to say that I wondered how Stefan and the others would end up in a survival situation, when they had the lodge to stay in, with or without electricity, the building offered shelter. But the author takes care of that nicely. Overall, I found the plot moved along nicely and in quite a believable way.

While the story is certainly not the most intense I've ever read, I think it provides a nice combination of character development and action for those students who crave such, while not being too scary for students who dislike that sort of thing. I'd definitely recommend this book for those who enjoy adventure stories.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read that packed a punch. Centered on Stephan, a young actor taking on his first role, the story hits on a number of elements including relationships, a survival story, and him being a fish out of water and it does it all well.

The author does a nice job of weaving the story together, spending just enough time on Stephan's experiences on set, dealing with rude co-stars and the pressure of getting things right for the camera or risk losing the job. The author hints that Stephan's movie career will be a game changer for his family, his mother is home working and he is there with his aunt. His mother couldn't miss work, so it gives you sense that the money that Stephan will make will change everything for his family, even though the author never explicitly says that. It adds to the pressure that Stephan feels. The relationships that Stephan builds (or tries to avoid) during the first part of the story carry the plot believable into the "surviving a disaster" portion of the book.

As for that section- it's again really well done. Not only do Stephan and his two young co-stars (and one older co-star) survive an avalanche brought on by a blizzard, but they then have to figure out how to deal with wild wolves who are desperate for food while trying to figure out a way to get to help and safety. By keeping the time frame fairly short (a matter of days) and by referencing back to things the characters have learned about survival (like "a wild animal that will approach you in the daylight and without fear is desperate. Get away.") made it believable that these three kids could survive this disaster.

This isn't to say that they don't face serious danger. Besides the wolves there are fires, explosions, more snow, extreme cold and hunger. AND they have to find a way out since they have no way of knowing if anyone is coming for them. The only thing that irked me a little about this book is that I felt like the resolution came too quickly. There was a lot of build up and then... it was over. I won't tell you haw it all resolved, but I can say that I felt like it wrapped up to quickly and neatly for the story that came before it. Maybe that's just me as an adult reading it wanting to see more action and tragedy come out of it, so I won't knock it too much. This is a book for Middle Schoolers and in that respect it was well done. The story managed to get a lot into a short number of pages and I really appreciate that.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf Storm was everything I expected it to be and better. I wasn't really sure how much I would like it when I first borrowed it from the library but, I did know for a fact that it would be a book that I liked.

I've always enjoyed a good survivalist novel especially when they're YA or upper middle grade novels and of course the occasional middle grade novel as well. This one though really did impress me though. I was very surprised by how well thought out the story line was.

The main character Stephan is regular kid who just happens to land a major role in a movie, much to his amazement I might add. He's awkward, uncertain and completely out of his element in the woods of Slovakia in the midst of seasoned co-stars. For me it was his uncertainty that made him a memorable character.

I'm not sure if it's just me or if it's the books I choose but a lot of the time when I read a YA book with a male main character they tend to be really cocky, rude and self centered no matter what age they are so for me Stephan's uncertainty and awkwardness was refreshing, I loved that he tried to bring people together when disaster struck and he was left alone with two other kids plus an older man in a hotel during a blizzard. It seemed as though he were a pillar of strength for the other characters in the book.

This book was on the lighter side of a survivalist novel because it's for middle grade readers who are on the cusp of YA. The parts where the survivors of the blizzard and the avalanche have to survive being hunted by the wild wolves of Slovakia on a mountain ironically called Wolf Mountain was great. The action was wonderful and even though it was on the lighter side it was intense enough to keep me interested because of how likable Stephan was as well as his resolute determination to keep everyone alive and well even at the risk of his own health and more often than not his own life.

I thought this was an extremely well written book perfect for anyone to read regardless of their age because of the action and the sense of adventure the book offers. My only complaint with the book was that the ending was rather abrupt and I wish it had been longer. I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre. I for one can't wait to read the author's other book as soon as I can.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf Storm by Dee Garretson

My Summary:

Stefan went with a friend to an audition for a movie and landed a leading role in a blockbuster sci-fi film. Joined by a famous stuck-up co-star, he struggles to get through the first day. Everything he does is wrong. When the production day finally ends, most everyone leaves for town. The three child actors and one adult actor are left in an old ski lodge as a huge winter storm hits the mountain. When the power goes out, they build a fire and try to enjoy the adventure. But then there are wolves howling inside and out of the lodge. And the morning brings quite a few dangerous surprises. Hurt, cold and hungry, will anyone even know they need help? Worse still, even if someone knows to come help them, can they get through the snow?

My thoughts:

4 stars- a great read

Wolf Storm is a great middle grade story about how three young actors work together to help an aging man survive a series of disasters on sci-fi movie set high in the mountains. The world is modern and contemporary. The addition of trained wolves for the movie and wild wolves adds some depth to the dangers the children face. The plot is action packed but believable. I enjoyed how the relationship between Stefan and his co-star Raine developed over the course of the story. Raine was a stereotypical spoiled child actress demanding and pampered as the book begins. As the problems mount, Raine is enjoying herself for the first time in her life. It’s different to actually do instead of pretend. It’s interesting how she bonds with Stefan, who has common sense without the actor persona. They became friends, which I really enjoyed watching.

This is a quick read. I read it in a few hours. Wolf Storm is a great middle reader story with themes that include survival and nature. It’s not a YA book but still a good story.

[Shay Talton]

My book I have read is called Wolf Storm by Dee Garretson. This story takes place in a place called frozen land of Slovakia. They are filming a science fiction movie in which these kids come back to a frozen wasteland version of earth with only the protection of there pet wolfs. The characters in this book are Stefan who is 14,Rain which is 13,and Jeremy which is 9, and they are all siblings in the movie. Stefan is the main character in this story and he takes his friends to audition for a movie and ends up being in the main role. Stefan and his friends then get partnered up as siblings in the movie. Then when a very real snowstorm and avalanche leave the three kids and there wolves trapped outdoors, they turn from actor survivals to real life survivals. With a smart use of props and the help of there pet wolves to keep the real wolves at bay, the kids prove that they are smarter and stronger than anyone thought. The ending of the story is very good news, but I think the resolution comes way to fast in the story cause it feels like there is a lot of action, then in the middle of the story there is a resolution that all ready raps up the problem. All three boys ended up being safe and they learned how to protect each other and stay strong. I thought this book was very interesting and the title is what caught my eye because when you here the words wolf storm it makes you want to here about the conflict and if the wolves are bad or nice. The only thing I would change about this book is the resolution being later on in the story and not in thee middle. I recommend this book for middle school kids only because it is a good read and not to hard and not to easy it is just right and they will enjoy it.

[Nick Hoge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Hoge
English09
9/29/13
Book Review
Wolf Storm Dee Garretson
In Wolf Storm by Dee Garretson Steven, Rain, and Joey are the movie cast for an alien type future movie. They and two wolves have to survive the weather and climate to make it out alive. They also have to face more challenges one like stray wolves.
I believe Dee Garretson did a great job on this book. The reason I think this is because she makes the characters feel like they're real. She also made me feel like I was right beside them in the book. She also makes the book really suspenseful. But with all the great things they're bad things to. Dee Garretson could make the book longer and add more details that I liked a lot. She also could have made the book more age appropriate for an eighth grader when I read it. But these flaws did not make the book bad.
I’ve read a lot of survival, mystery books. But there is no book like this book to me. This book to me is a five star definitely. The reason why I think this book deserves a five star rating is because like I said before it is very detailed and suspenseful. I also would give the book a five star rating is how Dee Garretson made the characters act. For instants when Steven first meats Rain he thinks she’s a snob and acts like she is the boss but when Steven met the real Rain they become friends and have to rely on each other.
I believe that there are no other books like Wolf Storm. At least no books I have read. Dee Garretson does an awesome job and I would recommend this book to many more people. I would also read more Dee Garretson books. Again I would recommend this book to people who like mysteries.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son thinks that he just likes books about wizards and magic and monsters but I think I have found one that might change his mind. Wolf Storm by Dee Garretson was a really great adventure tale. I think this is just the kind of book to get him interested in reading more contemporary stories. The main character, Stefan is the perfect lead for the story. He is written as such a likeable boy that your teen can imagine being or being friends with. That is what makes it so wonderful to follow along with him as he takes charge of a frightening situation.

I think Dee Garretson did a fabulous job capturing the voice and maturity level of a young teenage boy old boy. I felt like she respected that teenagers are quite capable of intelligent conversation but also that they don’t know everything. I love that she allowed her characters to not know what to do at times because that is how it works. I loved even more that she allowed them all to be brave, courageous, smart and resourceful. If you allow kids to try and accomplish things on their own, I think the results might sometimes surprise you.

I have seen some reviews of middle grade books say that the story or plot was good “for a kids book” and I think that is a bit condescending. The plot of this book was good. Period. I enjoyed my time reading it and found myself quickly turning pages excitedly anticipating what was going to happen next. I loved all the action and I can’t wait for my son to read this one too!

BOTTOM LINE: This is a great middle grade action book, I really enjoyed it!

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

14-year-old Stefan, 13-year-old Raine, and 9-year-old Jeremy play siblings in a movie they are filming in the frozen lands of Slovakia. The movie is supposed to be a science fiction movie in which these kids come back to a frozen wasteland version of Earth with only the protection of their pet wolves. But when a very real snowstorm and avalanche leave the three kids and their wolves trapped outdoors, they turn from actors playing a t survival to real life survivors. With the smart use of props and the help of their pet wolves to keep the real wolves at bay, the kids prove they are smarter and stronger than anyone thought. I would have liked a little more character development, but overall a good adventure story.

Price: $16.99

Suitability: Grades 5-8

Recommendation: recommend

Illustrations: N/A

Genre: Adventure

Possible Censorship Problems: N/A Examples:

Would you purchase this book? Yes Why? My boys will like it

Dewey Classification: FIC GAR

[CC. Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stefan is about to make his first ever feature movie and become a big star-if he doesn't mess it all up with his clumsiness. He keeps forgetting his lines; he makes his costar Raine furious; and, he accidentally almost kills one of the trained wolves, stopping the whole production. When most of the adults leave to try and find help for the injured wolf, Stefan is left alone with his two teenage costars overnight.

The story quickly goes from a drama/comedy of misadventure to thriller to horror to survival. The reader gets to experience one fast roller coaster ride when a local wolf population invades their area; the houses loses electricity and heat during a blizzard; the roads become impassable so no help can arrive; and, oh yeah, there's an avalanche that almost kills everyone!

Sure, the plot strains credulity......or this is one unlucky dude. But, it was a lot of fun. Sometimes, it's nice to throw reality out the window and just grab on to some fun. I really liked this book and I think it will greatly appeal to reluctant readers, especially teen boys.

[Lew Lazatin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because the plot and title seemed very appealing which interested me to read it. This book is basically about 3 characters (14-year-old Stefan, 13-year-old Raine, and 9-year-old Jeremy)who play in a movie in the frozen islands of Slovakia. The movie is supposed to be a science fiction movie in which these kids come back to a frozen wasteland version of Earth with only the protection of their pet wolves. But, when a real snowstorm hits the cast, their they use only their surroundings and the wolves to survive. My favorite quote is, "I see Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy!" because reveals that another character is alive and it brings relief to what might have happened to him. The author's writing style is very clear and vivid of the whole setting, characters, and the main plot. All throughout reading this book, I could understand every detail and I hardly got confused. I would recommend this book to anyone who looking for a suspenseful plot and people who like a little "drama." It defiantly made me kept reading till the very end!

[Kay Mcgriff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stefan auditioned for a part in the action movie Ice Planet Earth never dreaming that he would actually get the part. Now he finds himself on location in mountains of Slovakia. He is trapped with a stuck up costar Raine, annoying costar Jeremy, and supposedly cursed costar Cecil. Throw in some trained wolves for the movie and wild wolves surrounding the set--a run-down abandoned castle--and a blizzard closing in, and Wolf Storm (Scholastic 2011) has all the ingredients for an action-packed adventure.

Dee Garretson creates a story filled with suspense and danger. The tension between the young costars soon turns to tension to survive against ever escalating dangers. A snowstorm turns into a blizzard. A blizzard turns into an avalanche. Wild wolves circle closer, hungry. Now Stefan, Raine, Jeremy, and Cecil have one chance to do whatever it takes to survive.

First published on my blog at http://kaymcgriff.edublogs.org/2014/0...

[Serpex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stefan is a lucky star who was chosen to be in a movie being filmed in cold areas of Slovakia with trained wolves. But, when one wolf is injured and the blizzard acts up, Stefan is trapped on a mountain with a supposed killer who's injured, a "perfect" little actor, and a small happy boy. What is he supposed to do with limited food, wild wolves, trained wolves, a blizzard, and three people? 😃

Yeah, hi, I’m back with another book I pulled out of my closet, and I’m gonna talk about it before I lose it again. Honestly, this book is pretty good to where it’s one I’d call a favorite, a story to read by the fire. It's a story of survival that thrills a good fiction lover. The interaction and intensity with the wolves and harsh cold conditions are interesting. I can recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, short, fiction piece, or survival stories with a twist of the modern world and what it has to offer. Or throw it at a book loving kid like I was xD

[Kuba Nogalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day, as I walked into English class, I realized that I didn’t have a book. Therefore, I looked through the titles of the books in my teacher’s library, and this one appealed to me the most. This book is about three kids and one old grandpa, who during their first night in the Carpathian Mountains, where they were shooting a movie, get separated from their fellow actors, directors, and parents. The kids are surrounded by hungry wolves, and they must find a way to outsmart them, and survive the cold. My favorite quote is said by the character Stefan, “Maybe we can get some costumes to put on or something to wrap around us.” This shows that even young kids can think of ideas to help each other survive. The writing style of this author was just ordinary, but the plot was really intriguing. I would recommend this book to all suspense lovers.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf storm is about a guy named Stefan who is filming a block buster movie in the mountains about future earth. When all the adults leave to go to the village, Stefan and the other kids are left on the set. It should have been a nice mini vacation but when a blizzard followed by an avalanche hits the set it's up to Stefan and his friends to get out of there and find a way to the village before they freeze to death or get eaten by the wild wolves.
I picked this book up because it looked interesting.
I finished this book because the story was really good and I wanted to know what would happend to Stefan and his friends.
I would recommend Wolf Storm to Kelly because this book is kind of like a book that she would read.

[Krista Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong survival story in snowy mountains in Slovakia where a group of actors are filming a sci-fi movie. Cue the wolves, the avalanche and old actor who is hurt leaving a trio of young actors to try and survive. I like the larger print and the pacing.
I gave it three stars only because I couldn't buy all the adults leaving the ski chalet and going into town in a huge blizzard leaving the kids alone and the ending scene was too forced, staged, and unsatisfying.
I think upper elementary and middle schol studens would enjoy it - a little graphic violence (no more than is what in "Call of the Wild")- so very sensitive students should avoid this one.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stefan thought his great adventure would come on the movie set, although he reluctantly went to the casting call with his friend. Little did he know that Cecil's curse would make him and his co-stars live through a heroic and tragic adventure. The storm was not expected tell the next day, so all the adults and producers went to town for the last time before the storm closed them in to the abandoned Chalet in the Carpathan mountains. Stefan,and his co-stars, Jeremy,and Raine, had thought they would spend the night doing homework, and the next morning rehearsing there scenes.. But they will be tested with all their ingenutity, strength, and fortitued.

[Debra Millan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the action packed book and can see how it would engage young readers. The story’s main character is an awkward adolescent boy named Stefan who has just been cast in his first movie role. Stefan’s big break into show business comes out of the blue when he attends an audition with a friend. Thousands of miles away from home in a long abandoned Slovakia ski resort Stefan begins to wonder if he is capable of pulling the role off when real life disaster strikes and Stefan is forced into survival mode. This book would make an excellent read for a male who is a reluctant reader. The main character is very relatable. Additionally, the storyline is extremely fast paced and engaging.