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Survive This Safari
You're invited to the wildest ride of the year! An exciting novel featuring a group of kids competing in a giant safari park challenge, this book is packed with animal facts, puzzles and more making it the perfect book for readers looking for their next adventure.
12-year-old Lucy can hardly believe her luck when she is selected for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge at her local zoo.
But she will quickly discover the challenge have more surprises than any of them bargain for...and they are all in for a wild ride aboard a van making its way across the safari park!
12-year-old Lucy can hardly believe her luck when she is selected for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge at her local zoo.
But she will quickly discover the challenge have more surprises than any of them bargain for...and they are all in for a wild ride aboard a van making its way across the safari park!
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2026
3.5⭐
First, I must say, whoever designed this vibrant cover needs a raise. It's one of my favorite covers I've seen in a long time!
Survive This Safari was an exciting ride based on a fun premise. Getting to stay overnight in a wildlands adventure park and solve puzzles on a team? Sounds pretty cool to me. But aside from just making it through the escape challenge, and dealing with all the tween conflict along the way, something sinister is going on elsewhere in the park. This part of the story did not appear all at once in a big plot twist. Little things started to go awry and clues were dropped from almost the very beginning. The author did a great job in weaving her story.
The reason I didn't LOVE this book was because of a few minor things that I think a middle grade reader could and would easily overlook:
1. I'm 90% sure we could have done with less statements about percentage of surety.
2. There were tons of footnotes and only the ones with cool animal information were worth reading. But because I didn't want to miss out on those, I had to interrupt my reading flow to look down at the bottom and check every single one. Half the time though, it was some boring aside of Lucy's that I could have done without.
3. In the very first chapter of the book, Lucy reads the invitation for the Wildlands Challenge. Then she has a whole conversation with her sister about how she can't do it. Her sister finally convinces her with the fact that a spot on the Wildlands Ambassadors team is up for grabs. Lucy is like "NO WAY" even though it was there on the invitation the whole time... Just little things like that bothered me about Lucy. I know she's twelve, but sometimes she seemed just a little TOO clueless.
4. Other inconsistencies... During one challenge the tablet they carry said to press the button on the screen to start, so a team member does, and the timer starts counting down. This is a big deal because it's only a minute and they didn't even know what the puzzle was yet. BUT when they find out they can do the challenge more than once, they are told that physically moving certain pieces in the puzzle is what starts the timer, not pressing a button on the tablet. So which is it? During another part of the story, a certain animal is stuck and we are told that they need to move to the right. Then on the next page the team is excited because the animal is moving to the left and the plan is working... That one, I know, is nit-picky, but it was toward the end of the book and I was already sensitive to looking for inconsistencies.
5. The puzzles themselves were fun in nature, and definitely doable for the target audience of this book. However, even for that age group, they seemed a little easy. Yet the characters in the story, at times, acted like they were having to send rockets into space. It wasn't that hard y'all.
All in all, I did enjoy this a lot, even though there were some things that bothered me as an adult reader. This book has a great positive role model in Lucy's older sister, Alex. It also has some good lessons about inner confidence and learning to work together with peers. It's exciting and has some fun puzzles to solve, even if they aren't super tricky. I think middle grade readers will really love this book from start to finish.
First, I must say, whoever designed this vibrant cover needs a raise. It's one of my favorite covers I've seen in a long time!
Survive This Safari was an exciting ride based on a fun premise. Getting to stay overnight in a wildlands adventure park and solve puzzles on a team? Sounds pretty cool to me. But aside from just making it through the escape challenge, and dealing with all the tween conflict along the way, something sinister is going on elsewhere in the park. This part of the story did not appear all at once in a big plot twist. Little things started to go awry and clues were dropped from almost the very beginning. The author did a great job in weaving her story.
The reason I didn't LOVE this book was because of a few minor things that I think a middle grade reader could and would easily overlook:
1. I'm 90% sure we could have done with less statements about percentage of surety.
2. There were tons of footnotes and only the ones with cool animal information were worth reading. But because I didn't want to miss out on those, I had to interrupt my reading flow to look down at the bottom and check every single one. Half the time though, it was some boring aside of Lucy's that I could have done without.
3. In the very first chapter of the book, Lucy reads the invitation for the Wildlands Challenge. Then she has a whole conversation with her sister about how she can't do it. Her sister finally convinces her with the fact that a spot on the Wildlands Ambassadors team is up for grabs. Lucy is like "NO WAY" even though it was there on the invitation the whole time... Just little things like that bothered me about Lucy. I know she's twelve, but sometimes she seemed just a little TOO clueless.
4. Other inconsistencies... During one challenge the tablet they carry said to press the button on the screen to start, so a team member does, and the timer starts counting down. This is a big deal because it's only a minute and they didn't even know what the puzzle was yet. BUT when they find out they can do the challenge more than once, they are told that physically moving certain pieces in the puzzle is what starts the timer, not pressing a button on the tablet. So which is it? During another part of the story, a certain animal is stuck and we are told that they need to move to the right. Then on the next page the team is excited because the animal is moving to the left and the plan is working... That one, I know, is nit-picky, but it was toward the end of the book and I was already sensitive to looking for inconsistencies.
5. The puzzles themselves were fun in nature, and definitely doable for the target audience of this book. However, even for that age group, they seemed a little easy. Yet the characters in the story, at times, acted like they were having to send rockets into space. It wasn't that hard y'all.
All in all, I did enjoy this a lot, even though there were some things that bothered me as an adult reader. This book has a great positive role model in Lucy's older sister, Alex. It also has some good lessons about inner confidence and learning to work together with peers. It's exciting and has some fun puzzles to solve, even if they aren't super tricky. I think middle grade readers will really love this book from start to finish.
December 17, 2025
This is a super fun adventure with puzzles and a kiddo who is grappling with anxiety while trying to fit in. Lucy is very relatable in that she desperately wants to be a part of something, but feels inadequate. Her new increased anxiety and panic attacks make her feel even more “other” when grouped with peers. Watching her (and the other kids) feel more comfortable and accepting of the selves and others was a delight, and the adventure did not disappoint!
January 8, 2025
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Lucy Spagnola is excited to receive an invitation to the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, but is leery of attending because her last visit ended badly, with her freaking out on an observation platform. Her sister Alex is an intern at the site, and encourages her to go, because there were very few students asked. The competition pits the middle school age students against the interns, competing for a spot in the intern program, which Lucy still really wants despite her fears. Lucy feels inadequate, and often compares herself to her sister or mother. Along with Adam, Amelia, Isaac, Emma, and Amelia, Lucy sets off to compete in the escape room style competition, with lots of puzzles. There are even notes reminding readers to grab a pencil and paper to work on cryptograms, anagrams, crossword, and other puzzles. While traveling around the Wildlands looking for clues, the children start to realize that Tabora, an elephant calf, has been separated from her mother and appears to be chased by men from the neighboring Happy Time Farms. Will Lucy be able to overcome her anxiety in order to work with the other competitors to solve the puzzles and save the calf? There are many footnotes explaining a variety of topics.
Richards, who also wrote 15 Secrets to Survival (2023), does a good job at portraying outdoor adventures, and Lucy’s anxiety is very on point with current trends. I was enthralled at the setting; since Richards is from Ohio, I’m convinced that the Wildlands is modeled on The Wilds, a nature preserve for large animals that opened in Muskingum County in 1994 (https://www.thewilds.org/). I took my children there years ago, and it is a fascinating place. Since I’m not a fan of puzzles, I found that the huge number slowed down the story for me, but readers who like books like Grabenstein’s Mr. Lemoncello’s Library or Currie’s The Mystery of the Locked Rooms will love this one.
Lucy Spagnola is excited to receive an invitation to the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, but is leery of attending because her last visit ended badly, with her freaking out on an observation platform. Her sister Alex is an intern at the site, and encourages her to go, because there were very few students asked. The competition pits the middle school age students against the interns, competing for a spot in the intern program, which Lucy still really wants despite her fears. Lucy feels inadequate, and often compares herself to her sister or mother. Along with Adam, Amelia, Isaac, Emma, and Amelia, Lucy sets off to compete in the escape room style competition, with lots of puzzles. There are even notes reminding readers to grab a pencil and paper to work on cryptograms, anagrams, crossword, and other puzzles. While traveling around the Wildlands looking for clues, the children start to realize that Tabora, an elephant calf, has been separated from her mother and appears to be chased by men from the neighboring Happy Time Farms. Will Lucy be able to overcome her anxiety in order to work with the other competitors to solve the puzzles and save the calf? There are many footnotes explaining a variety of topics.
Richards, who also wrote 15 Secrets to Survival (2023), does a good job at portraying outdoor adventures, and Lucy’s anxiety is very on point with current trends. I was enthralled at the setting; since Richards is from Ohio, I’m convinced that the Wildlands is modeled on The Wilds, a nature preserve for large animals that opened in Muskingum County in 1994 (https://www.thewilds.org/). I took my children there years ago, and it is a fascinating place. Since I’m not a fan of puzzles, I found that the huge number slowed down the story for me, but readers who like books like Grabenstein’s Mr. Lemoncello’s Library or Currie’s The Mystery of the Locked Rooms will love this one.
December 19, 2025
Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards is a fast-paced, high-energy middle grade adventure that blends puzzles, teamwork, and wildlife conservation into an irresistibly fun read. Set inside a sprawling safari park, the story immediately hooks readers with its exciting premise and keeps the tension high from start to finish.
Lucy is a relatable and enthusiastic protagonist whose love for animals makes her easy to root for. Being chosen for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge feels like a dream come true, until the competition spirals into something far more dangerous. Richards does a fantastic job escalating the stakes, turning what begins as a clever puzzle-solving game into a real-life survival situation that demands bravery, quick thinking, and trust in one another.
The book shines in its balance of excitement and education. Animal facts and environmental themes are woven naturally into the story, reinforcing the importance of wildlife protection without slowing the action. The puzzles and challenges feel inventive and engaging, inviting readers to think alongside Lucy and her teammates as they race against time.
One of the most compelling elements is the mystery surrounding the missing baby elephant. This twist adds emotional urgency and reinforces the heart of the story: caring for animals means taking responsibility, even when things go wrong. Lucy’s growth throughout the novel, learning to lead, adapt, and stay calm under pressure, is both empowering and inspiring for young readers.
With strong pacing, vivid settings, and an uplifting message about teamwork and conservation, Survive This Safari is an excellent choice for adventure-loving readers. It’s an exciting, thoughtful story that proves courage and compassion can make all the difference, even in the wildest situations.
Lucy is a relatable and enthusiastic protagonist whose love for animals makes her easy to root for. Being chosen for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge feels like a dream come true, until the competition spirals into something far more dangerous. Richards does a fantastic job escalating the stakes, turning what begins as a clever puzzle-solving game into a real-life survival situation that demands bravery, quick thinking, and trust in one another.
The book shines in its balance of excitement and education. Animal facts and environmental themes are woven naturally into the story, reinforcing the importance of wildlife protection without slowing the action. The puzzles and challenges feel inventive and engaging, inviting readers to think alongside Lucy and her teammates as they race against time.
One of the most compelling elements is the mystery surrounding the missing baby elephant. This twist adds emotional urgency and reinforces the heart of the story: caring for animals means taking responsibility, even when things go wrong. Lucy’s growth throughout the novel, learning to lead, adapt, and stay calm under pressure, is both empowering and inspiring for young readers.
With strong pacing, vivid settings, and an uplifting message about teamwork and conservation, Survive This Safari is an excellent choice for adventure-loving readers. It’s an exciting, thoughtful story that proves courage and compassion can make all the difference, even in the wildest situations.
August 15, 2025
This was the longest book my son and I had ever attempted together. It's a good story and touches on a lot of different themes. I felt like the characters were pretty well-developed, but by the halfway mark I was really tired of reading, "absolutely, positively" and "she was something-and-something-percent sure about...." There were four characters in the core group, and each conversation with them was written in the same format:
"Something something something," Jemma said.
"Something else," Harrison said.
"A third thing," Trey said.
There's a lot of conversation and dialogue in the book, so that format was incredibly redundant after about 10 chapters.
That said, I thought the depictions of ADHD and anxiety were really well-written. A lot of the animal facts in the book have footnotes for young readers who are interested in learning more, and the games and challenges in the book were a fun way for my son to participate alongside the characters.
"Something something something," Jemma said.
"Something else," Harrison said.
"A third thing," Trey said.
There's a lot of conversation and dialogue in the book, so that format was incredibly redundant after about 10 chapters.
That said, I thought the depictions of ADHD and anxiety were really well-written. A lot of the animal facts in the book have footnotes for young readers who are interested in learning more, and the games and challenges in the book were a fun way for my son to participate alongside the characters.
July 28, 2025
Lucy is struggling mightily with anxiety over her panic attacks and is reluctant to enter the zoo contest even though her older sister will be by her side as a zoo employee. She and her team have been asked to test a new escape room/puzzle challenge for zoo visitors and one member of her team will be asked to join their ambassador program. When Lucy’s sister is stranded behind a locked gate and the gates and walkie-talkies malfunction, Lucy and her team soon realize there is more going on than solving puzzles.
February 23, 2025
I'm so used to this author writing dark, YA mysteries. So when I read her middle grade books, I'm waiting for the darker twist. :) But I did really enjoy this one. I thought the setting (wildlife park/zoo) was great! I thought the plot was well done and it made sense for why the kids were on their own.
April 26, 2025
Lucy is a pretty typical middle-grade student, except for her love of all things animals and those occasional panic attacks. Invites to participate in an event at The Wildlands, she’s both excited and nervous. Along the way, she learns a lot about herself, seeing all aspects of other people, and bravery.
March 28, 2026
Interesting diversity of characters (ADHD, panic attacks, neat freak, overly competitive), lots of animal facts, including foot notes with even more, puzzles to solve along with the characters. But it dragged on a bit for me.
May 3, 2026
What a fun adventure!!!! I loved the how engaging this was. The puzzles, mystery and actual factual animal facts really caught my interest the entire time. The ending came on really quickly but I’m glad I came across this book
November 18, 2024
A delightfully suspenseful and intriguing story for middle graders, SURVIVE THIS SAFARI offers adventure and education, plus puzzles and riddles that readers can work through for themselves.
April 8, 2025
Quick read. I've read others by this author and can't wait to read more by this author.
May 29, 2025
A super-cute, trivia-full puzzle adventure for young elementary schoolers with lots of learning and growing
June 18, 2025
Set in Ohio and gives Ohio a positive light. Main character has panic attacks and anxiety which are realistic and well written. Oh ya, and lots of animal fun!
September 5, 2025
I loved Richards' Survival book, but this focuses so much on the protagonists panic attacks that it took me out of the story. I just didn't care for it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews