Claws of the Crocodile

Mission Survival #5

by Bear Grylls

The fifth book in this exciting adventure series from a real survival specialist.

When Beck Granger follows a mysterious clue to the town of Broome in Northern Australia, it is just the beginning of an adventure that will force him into some of his toughest survival challenges yet!

The search for clues takes Beck into the heart of the Outback, where he must battle raging storms, ravenous crocodiles, cunning villains and a secret that may link back to the death of his parents many years ago . . .

A gripping Australian adventure packed with real survival details and dangers at every turn!

Genres: Adventure, Survival

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2013

About the author

Bear Grylls has become known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. His journey to this acclaim started in the UK on the Isle of Wight, where his late father taught him to climb and sail. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Bear went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, serving with 21 SAS. It was here that he perfected many of the skills that his fans all over the world enjoy watching him pit against mother-nature. Despite a free-fall parachuting accident in Africa, where he broke his back in three places, and after enduring months in military rehabilitation, Bear went on to become one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Bear went on to star in Discovery Channel's Emmy nominated Man Vs Wild and Born Survivor TV series, which has become one of the most watched shows on the planet. Off screen, Bear has lead record-breaking expeditions, from Antarctica to the Arctic, which in turn have raised over £2.5million for children around the world. In recognition of his expertise and service, Bear was appointed as the youngest ever Chief Scout to 28 million Scouts worldwide, awarded an honorary commission as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy, and has authored 10 books, including To My Sons.

Reviews

[𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐢 ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted the crocodiles to kill him

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not have normally chosen this book to read, but I was intrigued by its blurb and front cover; on face value it appears to be a good book to encourage reading, particularly amongst boys. In short, a teenage survival expert travels across the Australian outback in the hopes of uncovering the truth about a dangerous organisation that is destroying wild habitats and forcing the native Aboriginal people from their land.
The storyline is very fast paced. On one hand, this pace could mean the story is more engaging but on the other I felt this meant that a lot of character and scene descriptions were glossed over. The writer has interwoven interesting survival tips throughout the story, which in most parts complement the storyline well.
While the main character is fairly unrelatable to most children (I doubt most children are survival experts before the age of 10), it is a rather thrilling, adventure-filled read. This book would be a good starting point for discussions on adaptation, habitat extinction and sustainability. However, based on the mature themes used throughout the book, such as battling extreme weather conditions, surviving crocodile attacks and death, I would only recommend the book for children in Year 6. These themes could be more easily discussed and understood with their class adults. While in most respects the book is an easy and intriguing read it would not the first book that I recommend to young readers.

[͙͘͡★ emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ive read a shampoo bottle more interesting than this book ☺️ Bear grylls please go back to the forest and stay away from writing books 🫶🏻😊

xxx Spoiler: xxx



I see bear grylls books love adding this plot twist to the end of his friends on the journey with him always betraying him. Like god, please get something original this is the second time from the second book ive read from him.

[Terry Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pure middle grade adventure / survival fun! Readers will cheer Beck Granger & his friend Briohny on as they make their way through the Australian outback. Woven into the book are a number of survival skills specific to the environment. Good choice for a highly engaging page turner that's a quick read.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a 14-year-old boy called Beck Granger. He goes into the outback in search of the truth of his parents' death. They were killed in a deliberate plane crash a few years ago. He, along with his friend Brihony, and two others, Ganan and Barega, go in search of an old man named Pindari in the Australian Outback. He was the last known man to own the USB stick that contained the information about Beck's parents' death. But he was deceived, and someone wants that secret hidden and will kill to protect it. My favourite part is where Beck and Brihony find an ancient cave with old drawings on the world, and it becomes a world heritage site. The drawings were done by ancient Aboriginals in Australia. Beck is my favourite character because of his knowledge of surviving in the wild. I learned that saltwater crocodiles' jaws only have power in chomping down, and that a grown man can hold the jaws closed and stop them from opening.

[Finn Surman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claws of the Crocodile, the 5th book in the mission survival series is a very entertaining book. The reader follows Beck Granger as he ventures into the Australian outback, evaluating a clue he has found regarding his parent’s death. The author, Bear Grylls is a very well known British adventurer, who been all over the globe teaching people how do survive in different situations.

Bear does a very good job of describing the events, and how Beck sees and overcomes them. He builds suspense in the book very well, especially leading up to the end. I personally knew the book would take a turn like that, but I loved it nevertheless.

I think that this is a very good book, and it kept my attention the entire way through. I recommend this book to anyone over 9, but also anyone who likes being on the edge of their seat while reading. It was very enjoyable to read.

[Tammie Groeneman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because my son and daughter in law wanted to know if this was ok for my 12 yr old granddaughter. The survival stuff was all good but the story details are a little hard to follow (making a shelter in a tree with ivy and branches was complicated) However I felt like, overall, the book was better suited for an older audience than a 12 year old. There is cold blooded murder, not once but twice and someone bludgeoning a character on the head with a baseball bat. Pretty graphic and not necessary to the storyline. So I’m giving it 3 stars bc of those issues. But the survival skills are fun and you learn about the Outback and the wildlife there which was great. Without the gratuitous violence it would have been first rate for my granddaughter!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read in this series by Bear Grylls. This time, Beck has to contend with the dangers of the Australian Outback while trying to find out the truth behind the mysterious death of his parents. Great books to read with my children. 3.6 stars rounded up to 4.

[Jenni Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for my 7year old! Lots of action and suspense, plenty of survival intelligence written into the story. I can hear Bear's voice telling me the story as I read.

[Annerle Barnard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Telling, not showing, I think. Good idea but not well written. Did not grab my interest. But maybe the youth would like it.

[Min Zhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on its own and as part of the series. An interesting plot twist in the middle. Some parts are a bit bland and the ending is not satisfactory though.

[James McColl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really interesting book about bear grylls adventures in the dessert. I really enjoyed this book due to the exciting facts that were noted through out this book. I also liked the figures about how the animals in the wild dessert are slowly vanishing. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good and adventurous story with facts as well.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the first book i ever finished i just wish i started with the first one instead but im glade it was the first bit was slightly boring but i did really enjoy it especially the little twist at the end but i knew it was coming

[Amaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book to escape the stress of life.

[Letitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great YA offering from Bear Grylls. There are a few minor errors, but otherwise very enjoyable.

[Iain]

Great book for younger kids.