Alone

by D.J. Brazier

The trip of a lifetime - that’s what it was supposed to be, paid for with money Gran left thirteen-year old Sam in her will, but when the small plane taking Sam and his Dad back to the airport crashes in the jungle, Sam is left alone and terrified.

As time passes with no sign of rescue, Sam grows weaker and has to dig deep to find levels of resolve and resourcefulness he never knew he had in order to survive.

Desperate and close to giving up, Sam’s spirits are lifted by the arrival of an otter cub whose companionship and loyalty give Sam the strength he needs to keep going. But when disaster strikes, Sam has to make the hardest decision of his life. Can Sam save his friend and make it out of the jungle alive?

Genres: Survival, Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2016

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alone is one of those books that grips you pretty much from the first page. It helps that I love books about being stranded on deserted islands, although when I dream about being stranded on a deserted island, there are no critters or wild animals, there is food, and there is a hut or house of some kind. Any other kind of stranded that includes no functioning toilet is not for me, thank you very much. However, it is gripping to read about it happening to someone else, especially someone as useful and resourceful of Sam, where it almost seems like he's the natural heir to Bear Grylls, even if some things go wrong.

I can barely sum up my feelings for Alone. It was just so intense, so gripping and also so incredibly emotional. To go through a plane crash, where you fear your father is most likely dead, to end up on a deserted island inhabited by feral animals is anyone's worst nightmare and yet, once Sam gets his head around things, he's away. Building a fire, sourcing food, a shelter. It's amazing to me how the mind can make you go to work even in the deepest depths of despair, when you would normally just give up and die, the mind won't let you and Sam's just made him focus and get stuff done.

I properly admired Sam. I wouldn't last like he lasts. I wouldn't set a schedule up for the day that saw him go fishing and collect wood for the fire and change his leafy bedding. I would dig myself a hole in the sand and wait to die. I loved Sam's determination, and his friendship with the otters damn near killed me. It was like Tom Hanks and that bloody ball in Castaway except with a cute otter pup named Galaxy. *weeps forever at the cuteness*

Alone is a brilliant survival novel. I tore through it at a rate of knots and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. It's like Lost for teens. And I'd love a sequel. Not that I can tell you why, because spoilers but I'd love a sequel. DJ Brazier, please write a sequel. I'll even take a Galaxy-narrated book, too. I just loved this book so hard. After a run of good but not brilliant reads, this just blew everything out of the water, so thank you DJ Brazier, Sam and Galaxy for an enthralling pulse-pounding read.

[Abby Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads win.

A brilliant written and brilliant book...
At first I thought it would be a typical story of being lost and alone and coping alone in the jungle. But then you brought in the animals. And the otters! As an animal lover I loved this aspect of the book the most, Sam calling the otter Galaxy, looking after the young one when the the mother died, and a good ending at least, both parties ended up nearly dying but survived... Loved it!

[Lydia Presdee · Rating 5 out of 5]

galaxy supremecy

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book, but the only thing why I'm giving it 4 stars is because of the half of the book. It really bored me for some reason, still, I really like this book. This book is about Sam trying to survive on the Amazon because of a plane crash. He tries to find his dad because Sam found his dad's watch. Sam almost gave up but he saw an otter playing with its mother that gave him hope. Same tries to befriend with the otter so he tries to speak like an otter. Until he does he will have to choose something hard. So if you're onto survival fiction book this book might interest you.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

very suspenseful. good middle school read for boys. great summer booktalking material.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ updated review ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

right so a week after I’ve read this book I’ve thought about it a lot. something about this book has stuck with me, it wasn’t all of the things i mentioned before, although they are contributing factors to the great reading experience, it was Sam, the protagonist who made this book so great. Something about him has stuck with me, I’m not sure what it is, but I would 100% want to be friends with him.

I loved the small details of this book just following Sam day to day was what made this book incredible.

I willnot be forgetting this book for a long time.

✍️ God its me, please let me forget this book so I can read it for the first time again ✍️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s 2:23am and i have just finished this book and i loved it. It was a fairly quick read and i became obsessed with it.

I loved the writing style of this book, following Sam’s thoughts and perceptions as if we were him. I liked how there was no faffing with the language, trying to make it pretty, as it would have been unnecessary and just seem out of place. The style of following his thoughts in an in-depth manner helped me to really connect with Sam as a character and immersed me into the story.

I thought Sam was a very realistic protagonist, making bad decisions along the way and not being a superhero or an outrageously smart character. This really helped me empathise with him and made me very absorbed by the story. i was also surprised by how much i loved the lack of deep characterisation of Sam. we learn very little about his life previous to this, his friends, interests, even how old he is, instead learning about his character through choices he makes throughout the story and the way he tells it. i was surprised at how much i liked this constituent of the book as it isn’t important to the story. i empathised heavily with him despite this. i think this shows how well he is built as a character, having special personality traits that shine through, that is often lacked of in thriller type books and all the protagonists seem to be the same.

Another thing i adored was the pacing of the story, although the book was built up to him being rescued, i never felt like i was waiting for it to happen, i stayed enticed throughout the whole book, never getting bored. As i said before i liked the lack of prior knowledge to the beginning of the story and i liked the choice of starting the story after the plane crash, when he is for the first time alone. i thought this was powerful as it made the book more intense and meant that we were thrown right into the story.

I was concerned going into this book that the author would try to cover too much, that unrealistic and unreasonable events would take place (even though these event are very unlikely but you get what i mean) But i was very glad that the author stuck to a strong rooted story of survival, making the book enthralling and captivating.

Additionally, to top it all off i relished in the ending. As i mentioned before i loved that there was little prior to the book and that we hadn’t actually met Sam’s dad before to the end. meeting him would not have been important because the dad isn’t important to the storyline, we only care about him because Sam craves seeing him again and getting back to him.

[Kalilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's funny, this book is about surviving, and living and fighting to stay alive - and yet I was quite happy to put my own life on standstill to finish it in one day (and in case you're eyeing the date stats on this review cynically, I read one chapter the day it arrived on my doorstep but then I became busy so couldn't pick it back up until today).

This is a story of pure survival. It begins in the heat of a plane crash and it's do or die to the very end. Pacey and gripping, Alone contains enough graphic survival scenes to simultaneously repulse and delight the young reader. Creepy-crawlies, wild beasts, maddening heat, grime and gore (and yet more grossness which I'm not mature enough to mention with a straight face); it's got it all.

If it's sounding anything like a modern Robinson Crusoe to you, you're not alone. That's precisely why I wanted to read it myself. Except unlike old man Crusoe, Sam is considerably younger and less prone to long-winded self-reflection and rambling like a madman. It is far more accessible to a young audience than Robinson Crusoe, and probably a good introduction into the world of classic survival stories.

While Rob-Cru can come across as too dexterous for his own good and I often felt myself thinking, "Pull the other one" at his successes, Sam was relateably useless and his character-development over the course of the book is so subtle, non-heroic and laced with humour that the average Joe like me can't help but to root for him and cheer when he finally gets something right.

Despite all the grisly, gritty survival stuff, there is a softer side to the story about friendship... with an Otter, of all the things on the woebegone face of Earth, an Otter.
I'll be honest, I wasn't buying it at first and was downright dismissive of the whole concept, but gradually I found myself warming to the creature and at times possibly even thinking it was a trifle cute. It just goes to show you how well it was incorporated and written into the story.

Thank you to Lovereading4kids for providing me with a review copy.
Date of Publication: 5th May 2016

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride this book is. My friend passed this to me after I interrogated her about it and I'm so grateful she did!

This story comprises of one amazing boy Sam and his harrowing feat of survival following a plane crash that he and his dad were upon.

Sam is plagued constantly by bugs, hunger, sunburn and illness, however he becomes besotted with an otter and her baby, giving him the hope that he might be able to survive in a tropical terrain.

When the otters mum is killed he takes it upon himself to take care of the pup, naming him Galaxy (after his favourite chocolate, as that's what the pups fur reminds him of).

When a raging tropical storm hits his camp, Sam has to make a break for his survival despite being injured and Galaxy is rather fatally injured too.

The relationship between Sam and Galaxy is absolutely beautiful and I was rooting for them the whole way, even when it seemed like all was lost. I became rather invested in Galaxy and his survival!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable YA, highly recommend!

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is alone on the banks of the Amazon River. The plane he was travelling in with his dad has crashed and there is no sign of his father except his battered watch. Using what he'd seen on Bear Grylls' TV show and trial and error, he is determined to survive. He faces vicious wild monkeys, painful hunger cramps, never-ending mosquitoes, searing hot days and cold nights. He is up against quicksand, black scorpions, wild pigs and the presence of something larger in the darkness.

But there are some good things. The thrill of achievement and wonder of wildlife. A giant otter and her cub are a welcome distraction and Sam spends hours watching them, not knowing that not only his survival is at stake. Will he ever make it out of the jungle? Will he ever see his parents again?

Fans of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet will love this story set in the jungle. Sam is constantly up against the elements and wildlife and there is no sugar-coating his experiences. Great read for adventure, survival lovers!

[Su E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a raw story. Out of the many books i have read about surviving, this is the most honest one. If you were stuck in the Amazon after a plane crash I doubt that any of us would react as the main characters over the years has. I love how Sam is not just like all the other main characters in most books. He does not have that kind of luck, he can't just make fire by rubbing two rocks. He lives in the real world, where if something bad happens you would want to give up. I like this book because if I ever did get stuck in the jungle by myself, this is exactly how I would react. It is a gripping book, a definite favourite.

[Hayden Duthie]

Alone is a great book written by the author D.J. Brazier, The Genre of Alone is Adventure fiction, "WARNING SPIOLER" My favorite part is when he becomes friends with a cute little otter and he learns how to talk in otter language. This can relate to any one's personal life because a lot of people have pet dogs and they can learn your voice. I recommend this book to middle-level campus students because it has great humor and it is appropriate for 10+ kids. I rate this book a 4 1/2 because there are some parts that are really long going

[Jason Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alone By D.J. Brazier Book Review
The Author overall did a great job with this book. The target to the audience was to give a book that was stressful but yet engaging to read. I think D.J. did a good job with doing that. With hooks and even suspenseful moments like if food was going to be found or if a fire was going to be started, it was always very interesting. You could tell that at the end of each chapter, you just wanted to keep reading. And honestly, I could’ve finished the book in a day by how I felt this way. The author really doesn’t support a specific argument per say, but rather a message that the world isn’t over, even if you are in a very difficult situation. To have hope and to never give up, even when times are tough. Even though the book is fiction and isn’t a real story, I could almost bet that this has happened many times before in real life. Not saying this book is a survival tool, but it could possibly be handy to have.

Since there’s no arguments being made by the author I can’t find any examples. But I do have some good cliffhangers! “Then as swiftly as it arrived, the flash-flood passes. I raise my head. One lightning-lit glance is enough to tell me my trainer has gone. And so has the plane” (Brazier, 58) This was towards the beginning of the book when it rained super hard to the point where the plane drifted away from where it had crashed. Another cliffhanger “I’m trapped. Helpless. I’ll simply keep sinking and suffocate, buried alive. Or a predator will get me first. I’m finished. And I’m going to die here. Alone” (Brazier, 150) There’s points in the book where Sam (main character) was pretty much scared out of his mind of getting eaten alive, and him accepting that fact that he was going to die, just not knowing when or how.

I think most of the success in this book is from some of those cliffhangers, I really do. They really elevate the book, at least for me. I just like a juicy ending to a chapter, kind of knowing what the next chapter is like, but still not knowing what to expect. Comparing this book to others, it’s kind of its own. I remember another survival book, and instead of a plane crash, it was a boat taken by the waves. And instead of it being in the Amazon, it was on a tiny island. I don’t remember the name of the book, but they are pretty similar. I liked this one though because it was more entertaining not knowing what’s going to happen. Overall, this book is amazing. I recommend this book to anyone that likes adventure books, as you won’t be disappointed. It has enough to keep you interested, engaged, and ready for what’s to come at all times. In my opinion I’d give this book a solid 4.5/5, as it’s easily one of my more favorite books!

[Jennifer Yindra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alone is an outstanding book which includes survival, adventure, and near-death experiences. D.J. Brazier, the author of alone, writes an intriguing story about a teenage boy who gets in a plane crash, is separated from his father, and is questioning whether or not he will survive. This book always has you on the edge of your seat and is one of the most attention-grabbing books I have ever read.
The book was in great detail and I could picture, smell, taste, hear and feel everything. I have read this book many times and I would definitely read it again. Every time I read this book, I get more and more imagery. It is fascinating to read and I never want to put it down and stop reading. Sometimes, however, the book goes into gruesome detail which some readers may not like but I personally, really enjoy. Overall, this is a stellar book and 9 out of 10 people would be blessed to read it.
It is an easy read. I’m not quite sure what level the book is at, but I do remember being able to read it in 6th grade with just as much excitement as now. This supports my perspective even more because it shows that a wide variety of people can read it. This book may be too easy of a read for some people, but I find easy reads an opportunity to create more deeper imagery. Additionally, imagery is something that is very important when writing books and this book has the most imagery compared to almost any other book I have read.
This is an outstanding book. The reason why I love this book so much is because I really love survival and being on the edge of my seat about whether or not the character will survive. If you don’t like being on the edge of your seat, you would absolutely not like this book. It is a thriller and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Kadin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Maze Runner by James Dashner, is a very captivating and amazing science fiction book. The main character named Thomas, wakes up in a moving elevator, and is scared and confused. When the elevator eventually comes to a stop and opens up, Thomas opens his eyes to see a group of people staring at him. Thomas later finds out that they are stuck in the middle of a maze, and that their only way of escaping is getting through the maze.Later in the book,Thomas finds out that his friends are stuck in the maze.He must save his friends, to help him get through the maze.This book has very descriptive vocabulary, which creates an image in your mind. This amazing book is recommended for everyone that likes adventure and sci-fi books.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give this 5 Stars simply because it inspired my reading-challenged teen to READ! He loved it and we read it out loud together. I loved it too.

A once-in-a-lifetime adventure turns into a harrowing test of survival for thirteen-year-old Sam. Stranded in the jungle after a plane crash, Sam must confront fear and isolation as rescue seems increasingly distant. As days turn into weeks, Sam discovers untapped reserves of resilience and ingenuity, forging a bond with an otter cub that becomes his beacon of hope. Yet, when tragedy strikes, Sam faces a heart-wrenching choice, testing his determination to save his friend and escape the treacherous jungle alive. "Alone" is a gripping tale of courage and sacrifice in the face of insurmountable odds.

If you're unsure...read it aloud! :)

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book because I can like I don't know if this is weird but I can feel what they are feeling and when they landed in the water I heard the plane crash in the water and they had to hurry up and get the raft out of the water and hurry up and go to it. This book is very sad because he has to make a big decision in his life which makes it very interesting and very mournful. I rated this book a 4 star because I liked the realism of the book. I would recommend this book to 8th graders and up because some words may be not suitable for younger children. Also, i liked how he was very young but very smart because he had to find ways and resources to survive on the island which also has to make a choice in finding his friend. So this book was a really good and not bad of a realistic fiction book that teaches a lot like when you have to only use the resources that are provided in order to live on an island.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Hatchet, you'll love Alone.

Like Brian in Hatchet, Sam survives a dreadful small plane crash - this time in the South American jungle. Sam struggles through enormous odds, with the only saving grace being when he gradually befriends a mother otter and her cub.

Somehow, Sam must hone his survival instincts, depending on his memory of Bear Grylls' episodes and his parents' exhortations.
Somehow, Sam must figure out if his father survived the crash and will rescue him - or not.
Somehow, Sam must get out of the jungle.

A riveting and moving book.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what it is with me and survival stories. I absolutely love them in any form. This book reminded me of Gary Paulsen's "Hatchett" and also of the book I recently finished, "The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong.
When the plane Sam and his Dad are on crashes, Same is forced to find a way to survive. It helps that he is befriended by a baby otter. He has to face the elements, animals, and bugs and the basic needs of survival, food, water, and shelter. This is an on the edge of your seat read, the kind you just can't put down. Highly recommended.

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty gripping survival book about a boy who is on a vacation with his dad and the plane goes down. His efforts to survive are quite intense and it's a great story to show perseverance. Watching him struggle to make fire, find food and combat all the challenges was well done. And the intensity and graphic nature of some of the struggles like leeches in not-so-fun places and an incident where he has the chance to kill an animal out of anger and has to make that choice are great for upper elementary or middle school. Could even see some high schoolers reading it.

[Siobhán Bayertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim when I was scrolling through the second-hand section. It was only €2.50 so I figured, even if it was a mediocre book or worse, at least I didn't spend much on it!

I love survival type books and throw in an otter and I was sold before even starting it.

Right from the beginning, the story gripped me. I truly felt like I was there too and I did not want to put the book down.

I'm not sure if I could keep going like Sam if I was put in such a tough situation with no one with me.

Definitely an entertaining and often emotional read.

[Samuel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about a boy named sam and his dad. at first, they don't get together much then suddenly they went to a trip for granting his grandmother's wish to travel. I like the part sam and his dad got to spend time with each other. I don't like the part they crashed in the jungle and got separated sam got weaker as time goes on.

[Lauren Crofts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books that is a nice read, but an average one.
I did enjoy the little details, such as his routine on how to survive being stranded, and his wonderful companionship with his otter, Galaxy.
I wasn’t gripped but I wasn’t disappointed either, it was a decent book.

[Tiffany Wittmus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my fifth grade class. There is definitely some censoring to do, but the kids loved the thrill of what would happen next! Some descriptions were a little graphic, but it was all part of the thrill. Great book!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an interesting story to read but probably unlikely to read again.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried happy tears at the end, 5 stars!

[Mary Beth Hulsizer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super easy read, only took a few hours. Had me intrigued from the first page. Ending felt a little rushed but overall great book, especially for a high school level assigned reading.

[francine francois crab · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is amazing, adrenaline inducing from the start, and isn’t your typical survival story. i enjoyed the start. the book shows the totality of nature: it’s cruelty but also it’s beauty

[Arlo Hansford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!!!

[Ivy R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Octobers book I chose Alone by D.J. Brazier. This story is about a boy named Sam and on the way back from a trip, his plane crashes and he is stuck alone in the Amazon rainforest. That is why its a survival book, thus, fits the criteria for October. I rate this book five stars because it exerts a thrilling and intruiging plot and conclusion. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys extreme thrills and hardships. Good book!