Stranded: A Story of Frontier Survival

by Matthew P. Mayo

Great for fans of Gary Paulsen's Survival Stories and readers who enjoyed The Revenant by Michael Punke

In autumn, 1849, 14-year-old Janette Riker travels westward to Oregon Territory with her father and two brothers. Before crossing the Rockies, they stop briefly to hunt buffalo. The men leave camp early on the second day ... and never return.

Based on actual events, and told in diary format, is the harrowing account of young Janette Riker's struggle to survive the long winter alone. Facing certain death, and with blizzards, frostbite, and gnawing hunger her only companions, she endures repeated attacks by grizzly bears, wolves, and mountain lions.

Janette rises to each challenge, relying on herself more than she knew possible. Her only comfort comes in writing in her diary, where she shares her fears, her travails, and her dwindling hopes.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Survival, American, 19th Century, Historical, Westerns

245 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2017

About the author

Matthew P. Mayo is the award-winning author of thirty-plus books and dozens more short stories. His novel, Stranded: A Story of Frontier Survival, won the prestigious Western Heritage Wrangler Award for Outstanding Western Novel by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, as well as the Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Fiction by the Western Writers of America, the Peacemaker Award for Best YA Novel by Western Fictioneers, and the Willa Literary Award for Best Historical Fiction by Women Writing the West. His novel, Tucker’s Reckoning, won the Spur Award for Best Western Novel, and his short stories have been Spur Award and Peacemaker Award finalists.

He has been an on-screen expert for a popular TV series about lost treasure in the American West, and is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

Matthew and his wife, photographer and videographer Jennifer Smith-Mayo, along with their indefatigable pup, Miss Tess, run Gritty Press (www.GrittyPress.com) and live in the deepest, forested wildlands of Maine. When they’re not battling belligerent bigfoots and foiling the filching ways of hordes of gray squirrels, they rove the byways of North America in search of hot coffee, tasty whiskey, and high adventure. Be sure to rummage at Matthew’s website (www.MatthewMayo.com) for updates about spurious projects, outrageous outings, and a few surprises, too….

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the early fall of 1849, fourteen year old Janette Riker, along with her two brothers and widowed father, began a long journey by covered wagon. They hoped to start a new life in Oregon. After reaching the western part of what is now Montana, they stopped for a few days to rest and prepare for the trip over the Rocky Mountains.

While Janette remained in their camp, her father and two brothers left to hunt buffalo. They expected to be gone for a few days. However after a few days they didn’t return. Days turned into weeks, and Janette’s worst fears were realized as she finally admitted to herself that they were not coming back. She was alone in the wilderness as fall turned to winter…..

Based on a true story, this book vividly describes the unimaginable hardship that Janette endured. I could not put it down! The sense of place is vivid. It is a story of courage, resourcefulness, resilience, determination, and survival against all odds. It’s an unforgettable book that would appeal to teens as well as adults.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by a friend, I took on this western tale of survival and was not disappointed. I found the narrator quite believable, with a realistic balance between troubles foreseen and unforeseen.

The framing story with the granddaughter threw me for a bit, but I pushed on and was glad I did.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read this book was! Stranded by Matthew P. Mayo tells the story of 14 year old Janette Riker, who ended up stranded in the autumn of 1849 at the base of the Rockies on a trail to Oregon. Her father, an older brother William, a younger brother Teddy and she had left Missouri on a covered wagon in mid-June to head to Oregon. One day in the autumn, Janette's father and 2 brothers leave their camp to go buffalo hunting to build up their food supply before crossing the Rockies. They never come back. Janette is left with a covered wagon, 2 oxen, and a very meager amount of food supply partly due to her younger brother sneakily eating away too much of the jerky they had brought with them. The novel goes on to tell how Janette managed to survive on her own for approximately 7 months written in the form of a diary by Janette. Although the novel is fiction, there was a real Janette Riker who did survive 7 months in the wilderness and the author has written an imagined version of what she went through during those months. The hardships she went through surviving attacks by wild animals and the harsh winter conditions were incredible. This was definitely a book that was hard to put down. Although the book definitely has elements of adventure and suspense (how will she make it through this situation?), I also enjoyed the way the author developed Janette's character through her writings. She appears to be a pretty feisty girl and this definitely helped in her survival. I would highly recommend this book to others who enjoy historical fiction and survival stories. The author's writing style was easy to read and I loved this style.

[Candace Simar · Rating 4 out of 5]

a beautiful story of survival. It's hard to write a book with a single human character, but Matthew Mayo has accomplished this.

[Paul Guernsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decades ago, as a pre-teen boy, I remember being completely blown away by Scott O'Dell's Newbery Award-winning novel, "Island of Blue Dolphins," which features a young female character all alone, fighting for survival, yet refusing to surrender her humanity in the face of brutal hardship. Similar feelings of a admiration and inspiration came flooding back to me recently when I read Matthew P. Mayo's wonderful "based on a true account" tale of frontier survival, "Stranded." Not only is Janette Ricker a wonderful teenage hero—every bit as vulnerable and self-aware as she is resilient—but Mayo's lean, precise prose sparkles with a brilliance that puts to shame most of today's "adventure fantasies" that are aimed at a teenage audience. This book is a fine read for adults and young adults alike.

[Donia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this story and I am going to sound harsh and critical but I am the consumer and need to be honest to myself. I found the premise of this story interesting but I found the narrator (the 14 year old girl) annoying and unbelievable. My practical mind kept intruding as I read and I just couldn't make the story work. Through most of the story she is living in a dark muddy cave without heat, light or food but manages to always have fresh paper and a sharp pencil with which to write voluminous pages (in the dark). Furthermore, if I could have gotten around the volume of written matter, I had difficulty with the voice used. Practically every sentence started with, "if Pa did this, if pa said that, if pa went there...". I found the inner dialog unbelievable. It was too modern and educated and just plain annoying (to me).

[Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Matthew P. Mayo's Stranded is inspired by the true story of Janette Riker. Through a series of unfortunate events, fourteen-year-old Janette was left alone at the foot of the Rocky Mountains to brave the harsh conditions of winter in 1849. Written in journal format, this novel is altogether riveting. Harrowing scenes are told so vividly, and with such powerful prose, it's easy for readers to become entirely immersed in Janette's story. The young frontier girl's heart-rending account, as represented by Mayo, is one that will not soon be forgotten. Equal parts fascinating, inspiring, and endearing, the story of this determined young lady who endured unbearable conditions in the unforgiving wilderness is suitable for readers of all ages who will surely be entranced by this historically accurate work of fiction.

Stranded is recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always up for a good survival story. This was ok. The character's story got a bit samey pretty quickly-- how many days can you stare at snow and chop wood?. There were a few more diary entries about "oh, I do so wish I had been a boy" than seemed realistic (?-- and additionally suspicious since it's a male writer? there wasn't anything in the historic notes about how many times the question came up in over journals from the period, which would have given a more solid grounding).
Since, practically right from the beginning, the main character is in rather trying circumstances, it was hard to get to know her. We only see her on the trail and then during her survival winter; without having more of her before or after, it's hard to know if her actions during the winter are true to who she is as a person.

[Lissyrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I love, love, love survival stories! Thank you Mr. Mayo for bringing this one to life. I was a little put off by diary format, as I haven't had much luck getting through those in the past for whatever reason, BUT this one hooked me from the get-go. Janette (Mayo) has a way of writing the entries in such a way that it comes across as engaging as a regular straight-forward fiction read. The details are absolutely riveting, the action, as well. I started and finished this book in the space of a weekend.
Small spoiler ahead: I would love to "know" what happened to the men of the family, but as in real life, we will never know. I appreciated the historical note about the real Janette.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I read nonfiction, but I kept hearing about this award-winning book based on a true tale and gave it a try. My oh my! Mayo's strong, clear writing with vivid scenes, authentic voice, and suspense pulled me into the words of fourteen-year-old Janette who must learn to survive alone in the western wilderness. A page turner! Haunting! Amazing how Mayo gets into the head of a teenage girl living in the mid-nineteenth century. Hated to put it down until finally I stayed up late and finished it. When was the last time I did that? I highly recommend this story for readers of YA and adult books.

[Carol Sente · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend and I did enjoy the story line. Janette Riker was a real 14-year old girl who survived 7 months alone while heading west to the Oregon Territory. Her father and two brothers left camp to go hunting one day and did not return. The author uses a diary concept to describe what he believed would be some of Janette’s actual experiences in 1849. The writing drew me in and was emotionally engaging. Around 3/4’s through the book, it got a little tedious because her days and nights did not vary that much. But I’m glad I read the book and learned of this fierce young woman. 3.5-4 stars.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating account of a 14 year old girl who was stranded at the foot of the Rocky Mountains right before winter in 1849. Alone. The three members of her family who she was traveling with disappeared while out hunting. She must endure wild animal attacks and very harsh weather conditions while only using her wits and what she has in the covered wagon.
This is based on a real event that happened to Janette Riker. I’m so glad the author brought this story to life! A very inspiring story.

[Julie Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book based on a sketchy true story. The author did an excellent job of imagining what might have happened to Janette Riker after she was stranded in the Rocky Mountains by her father and two brothers. He did it in the form of a diary which is extremely detailed both in events and feelings. I was impressed with how he portrayed a young woman's dilemma in dealing with loneliness, attacks by wolves and a mountain lion, creating her safe place, and surviving the cold. Nice work! This book won the WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harrowing survival tale based on true events, fictionalized through the raw and intimate diary entries of 14-year-old Janette Riker. Left alone in the unforgiving wilderness after her father and brothers vanish, Janette faces one danger after another—from starvation to brutal winter storms and prowling predators—forcing her to rely on lessons from her father and her extraordinary determination to survive. Mayo captures the isolation, fear, and courage of a young girl who refuses to surrender to the elements. Helluva read!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman, sitting at her grandmother's bedside, wishes her to die. Her grandmother sends her to the attic to fetch a bundle from a trunk. The girl, being of an impetuous and nosy age, decides to read the diary she finds in the bundle. What she reads there changes the relationship between her grandmother and her. Well written in diary form. It was a nice to find an female protagonist in the adventure of her life.

[B Chartrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I love survival stories and was looking for something "different" than the disaster stories so prevalent. Janettes story is adventurous, depressing, hopeful and full of the will and fortitude of the human spirit. So much of her thoughts, actions and character feel familiar. Highly recommend this beautiful story of hope, despair, courage, horror, determination and on occasion tears. Hers and mine.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel about a family in the 1800's that travel west to Oregon for a better life. On the way they stop to hunt for food where a young girl about 14 years old is stranded in the Dakotas. She is alone for over 6 months and part of that time is in the winter months. Some indians find her in the spring and take her to a trading post. She never sees her family again. She accepts a job as a live in nanny and eventually gets married and has kids of her own.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay story. I was more interested before reading the author's note. Most of the story is his invention but based on an actual girl and her time in the woods. I did like Janette as a character and find her ability to survive a winter alone in the Rockies pretty amazing.

[Renee Panning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historic fiction tells of struggles 14 year old girl goes through by herself as her family makes their way to Oregon. Happens in 1849 and details are collected from little known about her and her diary.

[Micki Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded

I truly enjoyed reading this book. I can’t begin to imagine the horrendous winter that Janette survived. Well worth the time to read!

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to a 4.5! I really wanted a good survival story and this one was just what I was looking for!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

In June, 1849, young Janette Riker’s widowed father decided to sell his farm to his brother and take his daughter and two sons to the Oregon Territory. What followed was a test of one youngster’s courage and will to live.

Fourteen-year-old Janette has been given a journal by her father, one her mother received as a birthday gift from an aunt in Boston many years before. As she rides in the wagon pulled by their two oxen or walks beside them, Janette records her observations of their journey.

Events are interesting, occasionally exciting, more often dull, but it isn’t until September, when they reached the Dacotahs, in a little valley at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, that they make camp. Leaving Janette behind with the wagon, Mr. Riker and his sons set out to hunt buffalo.

They never return.

At first, Janette decides they’ve merely been delayed, but as the days and nights go by, she believes they’ve gotten lost and are having trouble finding their way back. She goes about her chores as always, refusing to admit they may not come back. As the days lengthen and turn colder, however, she realizes she may have to make a decision, to stay and wait, or go on alone.

The choice is taken out of her hands when it begins to snow and the oxen are attacked by wolves. One is killed, the other so badly wounded it may soon die. Janette forces herself to shoot the suffering animal, then butcher it, because her supplies of victuals is beginning to run low, and winter will soon set in.

Thus her sojourn in the little grassy valley at the foot of the Rockies begins...

Based on the actual account of fourteen-year-old Janette Riker who was stranded on the way to the Oregon Territory when her father and brothers went off to hunt and didn’t come back, this novel might be better titled Survival rather than Stranded, for it’s a paean to the ingenuity of a young woman abruptly finding herself alone in a hostile place.

Janette continually descries her misfortune to be female and therefore not taught how to shoot or trap or do any of the things her brothers had learned, then shows her own resourcefulness in teaching herself how to do those very things.

There is pathos and pain in the passages where she kills the ox, and later a baby rabbit caught in one of her traps, showing the still-frightened and gentle girl behind the determined façade, who knows she has to eat to survive but can cry over the way she has to go about obtaining food. Janette’s terror when wolves and other mountain predators attacking her little makeshift cabin is intense and palpable. Her reactions to the beauty as well as the deadliness of the countryside around her often waxes poetic in the descriptions she puts into her diary.

Author Mayo has written a beautiful story of pioneer hardiness and determination. Though Janette is the only character and narrator for most of the story, there are no dull spots or slow places. The framework, that of a young girl sitting with her dying great-grandmother and finding the diary, thus discovering when the old woman faced a much worse death than the one currently hovering, is well-done and fitting.

Several of Mr. Mayo’s novels have been optioned for films, Stranded is another which would also be included.



This novel was supplied by the owner and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.

[Mary Narkiewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a book I would choose to read. I am reading it for our library book club.