The Long Way Around

by Anne Nesbet

In an exciting wilderness adventure, three cousins are cut off from their parents by a huge earthquake—and must hike long and treacherous mountain trails back to safety, with only each other to rely on.

During a hiking trip with their parents in the mountains of California, cousins Owen, Vivian, and Amy are finally allowed to camp for one night at a little lake all on their own. But when a massive earthquake blocks their return path, there’s only one way the long way around, through a wilderness filled with fierce animals, raging rivers, unstable weather, and high passes. The hardest challenges the cousins face, however, are the troubles they’ve brought with bold Vivian’s fear of starting middle school and of changes she can’t control, Owen’s lingering emotional scars from a car accident, and Amy’s desire to live in stories rather than in boring regular life. Drawing on courage and humor, the cousins weather storms, make the most of dwindling rations, and face their deepest fears in order to bring each other safely home. This gripping contemporary novel from celebrated author Anne Nesbet is bursting with excitement, rich natural settings, and characters who will have readers rooting for them all the way.

Genres: Adventure, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Survival, Nature, Fiction, Family

244 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read the book’s description I knew that I wanted to read it, and soon. Only after I added it did I realize that I’d already read and enjoyed two other books by this author. It’s interesting because in some ways they’re all very different from one another and they’re all excellent.

A map is included at the front of the book. I always love maps in books. This one is unusual as not only it is pictorial but mentions are made of where various things in the story happen. At first it didn’t seem drawn to the right scale but when I looked up things about the area (I looked up a lot!) and read what the author had to say in her author’s note at the end of the book (which I read before I finished the book – there were no spoilers, thankfully) I realized it was accurately drawn.

I’ve always loved stories about kids on their own. I would have given this book 5 stars for sure and I would have reread it more than once had I read it at ages 9-11. It’s delightful.

For me there was a bit of awkwardness over some wording about how the adults are referred to at the beginning and a tiny bit of awkwardness in the storytelling at the end, but this was a great book. The characters were interesting and three dimensional, the adventure was exciting, and I felt as though I was there. That latter was even more true when I started looking up the location on the internet. I’ve never been much of a camper but all the minutiae about camping supplies, tasks, etc. seemed accurate and I think that they were.

I really loved all three kids. I will remember them. They all have strengths and weaknesses, and flaws, but they’re all really great kids. I have a fear of heights (if there is a cliff on one side of a hiking trail) so I really empathized with Vivian. During one part of the book I think I was as tense as she was, even though I knew things would work out okay.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a book I wish were in my owned collection mostly so I could share it with middle grade kids. I’d probably also reread it at some point. This is a splendid book for a classroom group read, a family read, a one to one reading out loud experience and it’s also wonderful for independent readers 8 or 9 and up to read to themselves.

4-1/2 stars

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have I read any Anne Nesbet books before? This was SO good. I read it in one sitting. Really efficient characterization— I felt like I knew a lot about these kids even though the book was just (gloriously) a couple hundred pages long. The adventure felt dangerous enough but not terrifying, because the kids seemed capable and I believed in them. I loved this.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like nature or survival stories you might like this one. I think for me it was between a 3.5 and a 4 star.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy adventure stories, and this one was an excellent reminder to always be prepared for the unexpected in the wilderness. Not only to bring adequate provisions but having backup plans in case you get separated. And most importantly, keeping bear spray within reach. Owen's character resonated with me deeply, as he appeared to suffer from PTSD following a car accident where he was a passenger. His struggles, emotional trauma and dealing with all the changes that happened following his friend's brain injury really made my heart go out to him. Vivian's apprehensions about starting middle school were also relatable, capturing the universal feeling of isolation and uncertainty about one's place in the world. And Amy is just so adorable and is such a trooper. This was a long hike, across multiple days, and despite her initial reluctance to camp alone, she doesn't really whine or complain and continues to follow their lead. I loved that she carried around a copy of The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart and made an occasional reference to it.

Despite all the obstacles they faced, I really enjoyed following along as they navigated back to safety. You really got the sense of being on a camping/hiking trail and I could vividly imagine them navigating their way around the lake. The map at the front of the book was the perfect addition to root me in the setting. The children came off as genuine and relatable, complete with their own insecurities, fears and anxieties. It was heartwarming how much they supported one another and addressed their issues with love and care. How they were able to help confront their problems and overcame them. Give this to an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys some adventure.

A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the print copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though the 3 main characters in this book have to tackle a challenging trail to safety after an earthquake separates them from their parents, Nesbit’s brilliant descriptions of the sights while backpacking in Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks will have every middle grade reader begging their parents to head to REI to purchase packs, tents, sleeping bags and hiking poles! As a lover of day hikes and more challenging backpacking trips, I loved reading of the adventures of siblings 8 year old Amy and 11 yr old Vivian and their 12 year old cousin Owen. All three have unique personalities and the two older cousins are battling their own personal demons while on this trip yet they all work together and not only survive, but further cement their confidence in themselves and each other.

Highly recommended for grades 4-6 and with no mature themes, profanity, sexual content or violence outside of nature, even strong readers in grade 3 will enjoy the non-stop action and the beautiful pictures that are sure to form in their minds of the mountain scenery.

Readalikes: Just Keep Walking (Erin Soderberg Downing), other survival books such as Philbrick’s Wild Wave, Vrabel’s When Giants Burn and older classic Hatchet (Gary Paulsen)

Thanks for the print arc, Candlewick Press and Texas Library Conference 2024.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A survival-in-nature in nature kind of book that keeps a calming pace instead of jumping from danger to danger with frenetic action, making it quite realistic with a lot of good hiking and camping tips.

It's a great version of those books about self-discovery hiking while completing a trail and dealing with inner trauma, sad thoughts, and life changes but appropriate for kids. 

An earthquake/ mountain slide separates the parents' camp from the kids' camp, and now the children have seven days of hiking ahead to reunite with civilization again. The journey is not only physical. There is a lot of character growth, maturity, self-discovery, accepting nature as part of the family, and even some unique encounters. The children work well together to help each other with their fears and future anxieties, such as a new school year, or to better communicate with parents. 

A wonderful read about returning home safe and sound. 
I love the cover design and art very much.

Thank you publisher for the arc.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
An adventure story about three cousins who, when separated from their parents on a hiking trip, must employ great ingenuity to get back to safety.
As the author Ellen Conford once stated, “Children like to read about things that happen to them every day, and about things that could never happen to them.” This novel definitely fell into the latter category! And reading it as an adult/parent is a different experience from reading it as a kid, I’m sure.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not intend to say up past my bedtime reading this in a single siting, but there I was, with my interest and an engagement overriding my fatigue. Great for anyone who enjoys kids surviving on their own!

[Erin Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is SO good!!! Amazing for anyone who likes survival stories (Just Keep Walking, Jennifer Nielsen books, Alone, Hatchet, etc.). So thrilling, realistic, and accessible - highly, highly recommend!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Sisters Amy and Vivian, with their mother Judy, and their cousin Owen, and his father Mike, are all set for a hiking trip in Sequoia National Park. Amy, who is 8, is less thrilled with the hiking aspect than the other two (who are 11 and 12), but they are all looking forward to being out in nature, cooking over a campfire, and being together. Their first day goes well, and the kids get the chance to cook their own dinner and put up their tent a bit of a distance from the parents. When there is an earthquake in the middle of the night, the children are separated from their parents. Owen calculates how much food they have, and they figure out on the map where they need to go. It is, of course, the long way around because of damage on the trail. Amy isn't thrilled with the idea, and wants to stay put and wait to be rescued. The group runs in to problems endemic with back woods hiking, like seeing a bear, and falling in a stream, but make steady progress. Amy sees a golden bear several times, and thinks that it is magical bear. Owen is dealing with the emotional trauma of having been in a car accident with his friend Mateo, and seeing Mateo struggle with amnesia that is so bad that he doesn't remember Owen, and Viv is very worried about starting middle school, so at the end of the day when the hiking is done, these issues are often explored. The children take an unmaintained trail to save time, and run into some problems with that, including finding a man with a broken ankle who needs their help. Luckily, they aren't too far from a populated camping area, but the trail to it has been damaged. The kids decide to use the trail anyway, and are soon helped and reunited with their parents.
Strengths: This starts with a helpful map showing where the children walked, and is based on the experiences of the author, which gives the story a lot of great details about what it is like to hike in the wilderness. It's good to see cousins who are friends, and I loved that aside from Amy, they didn't really complain very much; they just figured out what need to be done, and did it. This is on trend for discussions of children dealing with trauma as well. This is a bit of a break from Nesbet's historical fiction titles like The Orphan Band of Springdale, Cloud and Wallfish, and Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen, and she clearly has a love for the great outdoors!
Weaknesses: The children seem a bit too unconcerned about what has happened to Just and Mike; when they finally meet a ranger, they don't even ask about them for quite some time. It also seemed highly unlikely that the ranger would have let the group hike to their parents after so many resources were used trying to find them.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoy outdoor adventures like Behren's Alone in the Woods, Lang's Out of Range, and Downing's Just Keep Walking.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
Vivian is uncertain about starting a new school year but her cousin Owen’s emotional conflict is a bigger issue. Owen is involved in a car accident that sends him to the hospital, but his best friend has more serious injuries. Owen is traumatized in the aftermath of the incident and he’s having trouble accepting the fate of his friend. Amy has a vivid imagination that makes readers wonder if she’s seeing things that aren’t there. She reports seeing and talking to a golden bear but Owen says the only bears in the area are black. She’s eventually given the trail name Bear and the other two characters receive nicknames as the story progresses.
The kids encounter problems during their hike that readers might expect in the mountainous areas of California. The state experiences many earthquakes and a large one causes the plot’s main conflict. Smaller tremors ensue to make the setting uncertain. Smoke from a fire is spotted in the distance so readers don’t know if that will become a factor. The weather is unpredictable so readers don’t know if flooding or slippery rocks may complicate the kids’ plans. Amy’s questionable sighting of a bear introduces the possibility that the kids might encounter wild animals. Readers are reminded that the main characters are young children with little experience surviving in the wild.
The relationship between the cousins will make readers feel good. They constantly have positive words for each other to help them deal with their issues. Vivian and Amy display empathy for Owen especially when begins sharing the truth about the car accident. Amy begins to lose hope but Owen and Vivian find different ways to motivate her to keep moving forward. Owen is in charge of their food and he always manages to use meals and snacks to keep up the morale. Amy and Owen understand what’s bothering Vivian and they provide verbal and emotional support to help her battle through them.
What didn’t work as well:
For a survival story, the journey around the lake isn’t as dramatic as it might be. There are many opportunities to add twists or to make things more challenging but they never happen. Experienced readers will expect Mother Nature to present life-threatening obstacles but the kids surprisingly navigate everything they face.
The final verdict:
This book tells a wonderful survival story for those who’d prefer not to deal with intense fear or danger. The real story focuses on the three kids as they provide loving support for each other’s emotional needs. The long hike provides situations where they must face unresolved issues but their fondness for each other carries them through. I recommend you give this book a shot.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5? 4 stars for the target audience; not sure if I'm quite there personally, but also not sure if that's just because of how much I loathe the extra-cartoonish cover (it is, to be fair, aimed at the younger end of middle grade. but what if children had good taste).

However, it's quite a good adventure story for that group, with the right amount of mid-stakes that add excitement without excessive danger or a real sense that anyone might die, despite a close call during an attempted river crossing. I loved the sighting of the golden bear (look up blonde black bears and thrill!), who allows Amy to believe in magic. Having Owen be the girls' cousin added an interesting family dynamic that you don't see as often. There's also plenty of good camping & hiking detail -- I loved the author's note that she hiked this route herself, along with her twin daughters!

There is something a little wearying about the fact that kids these days can't just have an adventure without having Special Personal Trauma for it to help them overcome (in Owen's case, he and his best/only friend were in a car accident, and the friend lost all memory of the past six months during which they became friends), but overall, it didn't detract from the story too much.

There's also a base level of humor to the writing that, while silly, routinely made me chuckle. Such as, for instance, the very second line of the book: "The car was already jam-packed with backpacks, sleeping bags, snacks, legs, and various moods."

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of adventure and survival stories will love this one [3.5 for me!], which features three cousins who must fend for themselves in the Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park in California. The youngsters, Owen, Vivian, and Amy are spending the night all on their own near a lake while their parents--his father and their mother--are camping on the other side of the mountain. What begins as a small step toward independence after the family's hike ends up becoming a struggle for survival after an earthquake closes off the trail. With little food and water but plenty of determination, the youngsters take the long way around the park, facing various challenges, including rugged terrain and a bear, as well as some of their own demons about life back home. While some of the nicknames and encounters grew a bit tiresome, most of the text was riveting, keeping readers guessing about whether the cousins would be able to make it to safety--and at what price? It's a good thing that they knew more than the usual facts about surviving in the wilderness or else the ending could have been quite different. The author's decision to focus on their journey and not go back and forth between the youngsters and the adults makes the book even more suspenseful and appropriate for its intended audience. The inclusion of a map of the area allows readers to see just how treacherous their trek was.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Vivian, she is preparing for middle school, and this grand adventure will be her chance to gain the confidence to face her fears.

Meet Amy, she is only eight and although she would rather stay close to the adults, she doesn't want to be considered "little" any longer.

Meet Owen, he is the girl's cousin. Even though his dad and aunt were raised having family trips to various parks, he isn't really a camper. Especially since the life-changing event that has caused such emotionally charged struggles. Yet, he has been delegated as the cousin chef. Why not try staying a night at a lake alone with his cousins.

Imagine being cozy within your tent after a day of being on a wilderness trek, you are finally snuggled into your sleeping bag and suddenly, there are "noises that shouldn't be happening, crashing and splashing noises." From the moment the cousins are awakened, nothing will be easy or the same. Will their individual strengths match their survival skills? Or could their food supply run out before they can be reunited with their parents?

Every family adventure creates more than memories... skills are being modeled... books provide further discoveries and insights. Did you know that during the summer there is more water in a river in the afternoon because the snow way up high has been melting all day?

Enjoy this adventurous journey together, you never know when a camping skill might become a lifesaving reality,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cousins Owen, 12, with Vivian, almost 12, and little sister, Amy, 8, are on a camping trip with parents and finally have talked them into camping further on the trail and by a lake, alone, for a night and a day! They're certainly excited and have experience, are ready! But in that night, an earthquake happened, pushing huge rocks into the lake, awakening them up wet, and destroying the trail back to their parents. What to do, what they did, and how they managed is an adventure of accomplishment for these young kids. Anne Nesbet shows the characters face fears, not because they want to, but because they must, to help themselves make it, and to help each other! It's a treasure of a story to watch them travel "The Long Way Around"!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy!

[Katie Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Just Keep Walking by Erin Soderberg Downing, this middle grade survival story is filled with adventure and determination.

Set in the mountains of California, sisters Vivian & Amy, along with their cousin Owen, set off on a hiking trip with their parents. Excited to be able to camp for one night at a little lake all on their own, disaster strikes when a massive earthquake blocks the return path to their parents. There’s only one way they can go: forward. Taking the long way around, they must travel through a wilderness filled with wild animals, raging streams, unpredictable weather, and high mountain passes.

Full of resilience and healing, this middle grade novel celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the power of family.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful nature survival story set in Sequoia National Park and King's Canyon National Park! Three cousins plan to camp away from their parents' campsite for one night but when the trail is hit by an earthquake, the cousins have to work together to hike back around while earthquake aftershocks rumble, bears arrive, food runs low and parts of the trail are washed away! Thrilling and also affecting because the kids don't just hike ; they also confront each others fears and sadness involving school and friendship troubles. One of the best middle grade novels I have read this year. ( the cute cartoony figures on the front cover do not do justice to the intensity of the story.)

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cousins are supposed to camp out alone for one night, but an earthquake separates them from their parents and force them to take a different path. They each have strengths and they depend on each other to make it out. Their survival skills are a little unrealistic for middle schoolers, but the choices they make are well explained and the characters are delightfully described.

It is a rather slow moving plot, but good for a fan of Hatchet or other survival without adults stories.

I would have loved this book as a kid.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivian, Amy, and Owen are finally able to hike and camp om their own! The cousins are excited for adventure. When they are set up and sleeping in their tent, an earthquake happens, cutting them off from the trail leading back to their parents. They have to figure out how to ration their food and figure out a different way back to their parents. Readers who like survival stories, family, friendship, the outdoors will enjoy this story.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters Vivan and Amy and their cousin Owen convince their parents to let them have one solo hike and campout without parents. When an earthquake strikes and the trail back to their parents is cut off, they set out to take the “long way around” to get out. They find themselves facing wildlife, damaged trails, washed out bridges, and dwindling food supplies, along with anxiety over school and a lost friendship. This is a not-too-scary upper elementary survival/wilderness adventure.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely entry into the survival-adventure genre for kids. The challenges presented are realistic, as are the kids. They react to their situation in logical ways and make intelligent and informed choices, even if those choices sometimes don't work out as expected. I loved the way the kids encouraged and praised each other throughout.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is a tale of adventure and survival, but it’s far from grim; instead, it’s filled with effervescent writing and humorous dialogue. . . . If a story about three kids alone in the mountains with little food could ever be described as cheerful and uplifting, this one is it. . . . A sparkling tale of survival." [Kirkus Reviews]

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun middle grade book - great for my 7yo who tends to not love super intense moments or characters. It's very realistic, so there's just enough tension and intensity from the dangers of 3 kids backpacking on their own. Appreciate the distinct differences between the characters - could make for a good book discussion for kids.

[Nita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great adventure story about two sisters and their cousin who get separated from their parents during a camping trip to Sequoia National Park after a large earthquake. The cousins have to work together to survive in the woods and make their way back to their parents. The characters were well written and the story was really engaging. Highly recommended for grades 5+!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I could not put this down. Three cousins are separated from their parents during a hike and must take the “long way around” in order to be rescued. I enjoyed following their travels! A great follow up choice would be Just Keep Walking by E. Downing.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After unexpected earthquakes block their path home, three cousins must go "the long way around" on an unmaintained trail, navigating bears, hunger, and complex feelings.

Perfect for fans of My Side of the Mountain.

[Emily Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for 3-6 grades. This is a great introduction to survival fiction for the younger kids. I liked how they got their trail names. I enjoyed it, but the ending felt rushed. The ending is what kept it at a 3. It was a 4+ until the last couple of chapters.

[Leah Borg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for kids to manage all those new internal feelings they get as they grow. Great resource for them to push through and keep going even through the challenges. Loved the camping theme too!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome! So many quotable lines! I loved all three of the cousins. It took me to page 185 to figure out why it was a golden bear though. Ha! Ha! ( Go Bears!) I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to book #60/2025. Three cousins go camping with their parents in the forest and after an earthquake are separated from their parents. They must work together to get themselves out as the way back is blocked.