96 Miles

by J.L. Esplin

Dad always said if things get desperate, it’s okay to drink the water in the toilet. I never thought it would come to that. I thought I’d sooner die than let one drop of toilet water touch my lips. Yet here I am, kneeling before a porcelain throne, holding a tin mug for scooping in one hand, and my half-gallon canteen in the other.

The Lockwood brothers are supposed to be able to survive anything. Their dad, a hardcore survivalist, has stockpiled enough food and water on their isolated Nevada ranch to last for months. But when they are robbed at gunpoint during a massive blackout while their dad is out of town, John and Stew must walk 96 miles in the stark desert sun to get help—and they have only 3 days before their time runs out....

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

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2020

Reviews

[JPDB23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that makes the kid in you think of every epic adventure if you were left alone. The two brothers were left on their own, and Murphy’s law took its course. A survival story that comes with laughter, tears and joy. A great easy read for an adventurous reader at heart.

Stay safe my friends 🙂

[Claude's Bookzone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not too many comments for me to make about this middle-school book. However, I have a feeling that all the middle-schoolers I know might like a little bit more action in their survival stories. I liked the friendships that developed and the strength of the sibling relationships. Some rather tame ‘bad guys’ with a ‘dog eat dog’ attitude made a couple of appearances. They weren’t too scary which is appropriate for this text level.

A piece of advice for Readers. Just like when you are reading Neal Shusterman’s book ‘Dry’, you should have a bottle of water with you. It appears I am quite suggestible and spent large parts of the book guzzling water in response to the bone quenching thirst that was well described in the book. I would give this 3 stars with my middle school reader hat on, but in reality it was a 2 star read for me.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I stayed up way too late to finish the book because I just had to know what happened. The author did a great job of adding surprises, keeping me in suspense, and creating very believable and relatable characters. There is no swearing in the book, no weird romance scence, so it would be a great book to recommend to any kid 10+ , but I as an adult enjoyed it as well. It left me wondering how well I've prepared myself and my family for an emergency. :)

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good!! If you are looking for an adventure and survival story that is heavy on survival, this is for you.
After a power outage with no end in sight (it's day 21 at the start of the story), thirteen-year-old John and his eleven-year-old brother Stewart (Mom died years ago; Dad is put out of town) hit the deserted roads of Nevada to walk 96 miles in hopes that family friends will have supplies to share. Can they make it on their own? Even though John is on 13, this book reads more like a young adult novel due to the dire situation the boys find themselves in. Debut author J.L. Esplin is one to watch. She could be the next Watt Key.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of two brothers filled with peril. The stakes are high and I was riveted as these two boys struggle to reach their goal. When you have a vehicle, 96 miles is easy. Try covering that distance on foot in the heat, on a deserted highway, with water from a toilet that has to be boiled. There is much more to their story, but I will leave you to discover that on your own. Ever trained for a marathon? You can start to imagine the mental anguish that these boys endure. As a runner, I could especially identify with John as he is attempting to cover miles quickly at one point. The struggle is real! Warning: this is best for older middle grade readers as the plot includes physical violence, guns, and knives.

A big thank you to Starscape and Edelweiss for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Najla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another YA for my list. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Apocalyptic storyline but more about two young brothers forced to rely on one another to walk 96 miles to safety. 96 miles may seem short in a car but imagine the struggle of walking that far with little water and little food. The author is a great storyteller.

[Jessie_Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish there was more to the ending.

I almost want to give this book 2 stars just because of how deceiving it seems. I thought I would be reading a book about two brothers surviving in the desert, experiencing hardship and growing closer. But there is another pair of siblings involved that are not mentioned in the synopsis and the brothers hardly talk to each other throughout the book. Also the cover only has the brothers when a second pair of siblings has an equally big role in the story. (not spoilers because its all revealed in chapter 1) I liked the book but it definitely wasn't what I thought it would be.

[Brennetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters and the revelations we found out along their journey. I wondered constantly if I would be able to walk one more step. And understood why the boys did what they did.

This was such an easy read with some deep moments and situations to ponder. I would recommend for any reader 8+ but it is written for the MS age

[Ericka Clou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good middle school dystopian book. A little violent and scary but not a huge amount.

[Mrs. Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dad always said if things get desperate, it’s okay to drink the water in the toilet bowl.”

The power has been out for weeks due to a nationwide blackout. With their father away on a business trip, John and his younger brother Stew are left to survive on their own. Good thing their dad is a well-known survivalist & prepared their home for a moment like this, right? Well, when some desperate neighbors take advantage of the boys being left home alone, John and Stew are forced to stock up on toilet water and prepare to make a 96-mile hike through the Nevada desert to a place where they think help will be found.

This story had me hooked at the very beginning; however, I feel like the pacing towards the middle was a little off. I wish more things were revealed at a quicker pace along the journey, especially to keep students wanting to read more. Once kids put a book down, it’s hard to get them to pick it back up. However, I do believe that this would do well in a middle-grade classroom. There is no swearing & no weird romance which is always a plus. I will definitely recommend this to students who like survival stories.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤬: none; “crap”
🌶️: hand holding
🧼: 💯% squeaky clean status
🎯: Recommended for ages 10 & up

[Yvonne Reynders · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 6th grader is reading this book with his LEAD class. I wanted to be able to help him if necessary, to know what he was reading, and it sounded like an intriguing story. My son's class theme for the year is Grit and Determination. This book was a great fit. The main characters and supporting sure had a lot of grit. This was a good survival, fiction read. A definite page turner.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't miss this book if you have fans of middle grade survival fiction! I never have enough books to recommend for those kids asking for books like Hatchet, and I predict that I will rarely see this book on the shelves. It's mature and yet still a middle grade read, with lots of unexpected twists and a race against the clock.

John and Stew are at home alone when a power outage affects their area. Days pass, and their father still doesn't return. Although they are well-prepared for disasters, they are robbed of their supplies and realize they need to get help...and fast. Their only option seems to be a trek of 96 miles to the home of friends who might be able to help them. Along the way, they meet both friends and enemies who are also trying to survive, and come face to face with the desperate things people will do in times of crisis.

This book has so many elements that will appeal to readers: suspense, mystery, action, and high stakes. I think it could also be fascinating to discuss how people act during times of fear, especially given the current state of the world and the behavior we've all witnessed. Does a crisis make us selfish, or giving? What lengths are we willing to go to for those we love? How do you choose what decision to make when none seem like a good option? This story kept engaged from start to finish, and is a reasonable length to appeal to a wide audience.

I sincerely look forward to more writing from this author.

[Darcy Roar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent survival adventure novel! John & Stew are walking the 96 miles it takes to get to Brighton Ranch from their remote home in Nevada. The power's been out for 2 weeks & their Dad was out of town on a business trip when things went down. Things are not great to put it mildly.

I enjoyed the flashback stylings Esplin uses to keep showing us small snippets of Why John & Stew are having to make this journey & didn't see the ending coming until we were right up on it (eagle eyed viewers will not the early breadcrumbs, & I did at the time but got so caught up on the story I forgot until we were right on top of the reveal). Twist here if you need to know (but it's actually worth the wait imo & I love spoilers) -> Stew has type 1 diabetes, which is why they have 3 days to get to the ranch & why he's acting like such a butt

It has been a serious while since I've read a really excellent realistic survival story (honestly Hatchet is the only one that comes to mind & I can't think of higher praise for 96 Miles than putting it in the same category as Hatchet). This book is fast paced, action packed, & short! Give it to your survival-ly, reluctant readers! Give it to your big time campers! Give it to your zombie apocalypse fans(no zombies here, but Stew talks about them a lot & it does have a post apocalypse feel)! Give it to your I Survived... fanatics who're looking for something new!

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated this.
It was one of those stories where the author just keeps TYING to make the worst of the worst happen.

So much so that it becomes predictable.

For example.... *SPOILER* when they finally get a chance to steal a car, of course they steal the car that has zero gas.

The little brother is annoying, and won't walk, won't even try, everyone complains and there is no sense of survival.... just a complain-because-I-am-unhappy-about-my-situation.

I don't think I could hate a book more than how ridiculous this one was. I started skimming the pages just to get to the end.

Not only did bad stuff happen- but other good things happened way too coincidentally.

But just about the only good thing I could say about this book- is the fact that the beginning has one of the best hooks I have EVER had the pleasure of experiencing, when reading the first page.

[Joy Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal--more than 5 stars. I am so eager to recommend this. It is geared for middle school and up but I think ages 10 will eat this up! It is well paced, has fantastic dialogue, lots of heart and that appeals to reluctant readers. I especially like that it is set in rural Nevada.

[Daniel De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

*audiobook

[BooksNCrannies · Rating 3 out of 5]

96 miles of uninhabited sun-scorched desert — what lies between you and the chance for survival.

✏️ Review ✏️

96 Miles is the kind of story that makes you stop and think — What would happen to my family if there were a major power grid failure? Would we be prepared? How would our side of the world change? Would our community come together and help each other or break apart and let every person fend for himself?... These are the kinds of questions that 96 Miles poignantly presents in a story about a national power grid failure. This story shows on a small scale what it means to be prepared and just how dangerous situations can get during a nationwide crisis. By focusing on two brothers who set out on a journey of survival, this book portrays the myriad of human responses that follows such a crisis: some people will share, others will horde food and water, others will panic, some will come together and plan, and yet still others will become desperate and violent. With all of these elements in place, the plot of 96 Miles comes together in a thought-provoking manner.

The characters and writing style are both pretty well delivered. The cast of characters is a representative group of individual needs and emotions seen during a nationwide crisis. And while it's not the best, the writing style still does a good job at setting the pace and atmosphere for 96 Miles.

The ending does wrap up the story succinctly. While this is okay for some storylines, I would have liked if there was more finality to this story's ending. I really wanted to know that everything worked out, especially for the MCs. 🥺 Can't leave me hanging like that. Oh well...

Featuring a story that presents an all-too-realiatic what-if scenario, 96 Miles delivers a thought-provoking survival adventure that emphasizes the necessity of preparedness and the importance of sticking together in the face of the unexpected.

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📊 A Quick Overview 📊

👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The depiction of different responses to a national crisis.
• The representative group of MCs.
• The portrayal of both a siblings and friends dynamic during times of major changes and uncertainty.

👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The lack of satisfying finality to the ending.

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❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓

— Would I recommend this book? Yes.*

— To whom? To those who like survivalist stories about national crises that depict the dynamics of siblings and friends during such a time and that contain a very slight dystopian atmosphere (think James Dashner's The Scorch Trials reduced like fifty times).

*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)

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📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 2.5/5
— 📝 Writing: 3/5
— 👥 Characters: 3/5

~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)

— 🤬 Language: 1/5

• Some uses of "cr*p," a few uses of "hell," one use of "g**z," and a few uses of "heck."

— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5

• Some scenes of mild action-adventure violence (mentions injuries and blood).

• A few sequences of mildy intense peril.

— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5

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📣 Random Comments 📣

• (None)

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💬 Favorite Quotes 💬

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[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets a 10 for tension. I had to stop reading and walk around to calm down several times. Mostly I was afraid that there was going to be some kind of violent final confrontation with the guys at the campsite, and I really didn't want to find out this kid was a killer, nor did I want him to get murdered for water.

I really don't enjoy it when an author holds back a vital piece of information for drama. Like if I knew this thing from the beginning, it makes the struggle and the arguments make more sense, and become more meaningful. When I find out at the end of the book, now I have to think back, and piece it together, and probably I won't do a very good job of it. Otherwise Stewart and John just seem like they argue all the time for no good reason. Or tell it from Cleverley's point of view, so this "family secret" is revealed more naturally.

Also the whole thing with Nate and Jess at the end. One minute Nate has a shotgun pointed at John's head, the next Jess is borrowing his truck to drive out and get Stewart and the others? There's a bit of a disconnect in that bit of the story-telling.

And the thing that annoyed me from the beginning : when your dad tells you that you can drink water out of the toilet, he really means out of the storage tank in the back, not from the bowl. Well, I guess if you are really desperate, the bowl too.

[Rebecca McPhedran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Maine Student Book Award choice for 2021/2022.

When there is an extended blackout in the desolate parts of Nevada brothers;John and Stew must make a three day trek across the loneliest highway in Nevada to get help. With little food, and even less water they must overcome the odds to get to safety.

This is a fantastic book for readers who love adventure and survival stories. I could picture this book so well in my mind, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. A good read!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read ebook. SUCH a great book. It has an apocalypse feel, but is middle grade so much lighter material. The strength of the two boys is just amazing, and the kids working together in this book is heart warming. Recommend!

[Victoria Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the better adventure stories I have read lately! I felt the pain of the young boys and their friends "lost" in the desert.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in my family loved it, and (bonus!) the audiobook version had such a great narrator. Definitely a great book for all ages!

[Kari Yergin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*. An enjoyable sibling survival story. Water as a limiting factor made it especially emotional for me.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I have to say that this was an especially interesting read to take on during the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing. The Lockwood brothers, John and Stew, have been trained by their father to survive just about anything. They’ve stockpiled everything from generators to food to large tanks of water on their isolated Nevada ranch in the event of a long lasting emergency. And wouldn’t you know, the electricity goes out when they least expect it — right after their father heads out of town, leaving his two sons to look after their home. Thank goodness they have nothing to worry about since their father was the only “crazy” who made sure they’d be good and ready for losing all power and connection to the outside world. But what happens when a group of rowdy men break into their home in the middle of the night, holding the boys at gunpoint while they take everything of value, including the very medicine needed to keep the younger Lockwood brother alive? Oooh, this one kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Mid-Continent Public Library]

A tale of two brothers filled with peril. The stakes are high and I was riveted as these two boys struggle to reach their goal. When you have a vehicle, 96 miles is easy. Try covering that distance on foot in the heat, on a deserted highway, with water from a toilet that has to be boiled. There is much more to their story, but I will leave you to discover that on your own. Ever trained for a marathon? You can start to imagine the mental anguish that these boys endure. As a runner, I could especially identify with John as he is attempting to cover miles quickly at one point. The struggle is real! Warning: this is best for older middle grade readers as the plot includes physical violence, guns, and knives. Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge

[Palatine Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a massive blackout occurs two brothers must learn to survive with the little that they have and without parents. Follow them through the journey of how they survive walking 96 miles for help with little food, water, and supplies. Both brothers must survive the harsh conditions of walking in the desert for three days while finding friends who help them truly realize what it means to be self-reliant.

I thought this book was very well-done. The characters had such different, but intriguing personalities that I loved. I also thought that there was enough action, but not an overwhelming amount. The book also kept you very interested in it for the whole time. Overall, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars.

-Emme L.

[Martha Schwalbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and finished this book in the middle of the January 6 coup committee hearings and the actions of a supreme court with members who are as unfamiliar with the constitution as 45 was. I felt sick to my stomach through this entire book from the story itself and real life.

I think students will like this book, those who enjoy thrillers and/or teen drama.

[Sara (A Gingerly Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than I thought it would be, but I wished there was more to the ending.

[Rob Nankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like YA fiction and this book is no exception. A fast read and a great story.

[Andrew Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite survival books I’ve ever read is 96 Miles by J. L. Esplin. The overall main theme of this story is, “Oftentimes in life, all it takes is a little hard work and a lot of determination to be successful.” J. L. Esplin wanted you to know this because of the way she teaches you an important life lesson through her character's actions and quotes.

96 Miles is written in first person, set in a remote desert in the rural areas of Nevada. It has a large highway running through it that runs for 96 miles. John and Stew have been living with their dad for their whole lives, who is a hoarder of necessary items in case anything bad happens. When he has to leave for a business trip for a while, John and Stew are alone when a massive power outage across half the United States happens. Not long after that, almost everything they own is stripped from them, forcing them to walk 96 miles to safety in only three days. With little water and food, they start their trek, meeting two other people with the same problem named Cleverly and Will. Together, they struggle to survive on little food and water, but manage to steal items to keep them safe. However just before they reach their destination, the worst thing happens. Stew struggles from diabetes, barfing, and unable to stand up. With no choice, John leaves the group and finishes the journey, getting supplies, and then coming back with his “cousin”. Together, they help Stew get back to good health heading into the truck to ride home, feeling much better than they did before.

This book was an awesome read, taking me about a week and a half, which is a good length of time for me personally. The author J. L Esplin does an amazing job of the elaboration on her characters, giving them descriptive details that make them feel real and believable. To do this, she uses direct and indirect characterization. An example of some descriptive dialogue is from page 10, where she starts to explain personal background about her characters. For example, “I couldn’t say what my strengths are. I guess I’m good at yard maintenance and, according to my school counselor, using sarcasm to avoid conflict-and now that I think about it, I’m not exactly sure she meant that as a compliment.” This lets me know some information about John that I otherwise wouldn’t have known, which then can make it seem like I’ve known the character. It is a great example of direct characterization, and also makes me understand characters' actions and decisions because I know what their emotional reactions are to events. For example, when John decides to hijack a car and steal some of his supplies back from the crooks who stole from him, I understand why he would have done this because of his emotions towards the people who stole everything from him. I could really feel his hatred and anger towards the men because of his past with them, and I could understand why he would want to steal his own things back. Another great example of how she develops the characters is the way she uses indirect characterization through the characters quotes and actions. For example on page 1 of the novel, John says, “No, we don’t need it Stew. I just thought, ‘Oh look-water from a toilet. That sounds refreshing, let’s drink it,’” when speaking to his brother about drinking water from a toilet bowl. This piece of dialogue helped me to picture the relationship between the two brothers, and also revealed that John could be funny while proving his point. Right away when I read this, I knew this would be a great book since there was indirect characterization on the first page.

Another amazing thing about this book are the different flashbacks added into the story. While I was reading, it really enhanced my experience, and I think that without the flashbacks, a lot of the plot would be less deep. A great example of a flashback is when the story rewinds to the day John and Stew’s dad left for work. It shows their feelings, and how the power outage really took everyone by surprise. I think that it was because of the flashbacks that made me feel a deeper connection to the story. The flashbacks also helped to trigger a lot of the emotions that I felt while reading the story.

Overall, this is one of my all time favorite books I have ever read, and it really triggered my emotions while reading. It clearly captured the bond between brothers perfectly. I would recommend this book for 7th and 8th grade readers who love adventure, because it is an awesome survival story with a great plot. It would not have as big of a meaning to someone of a younger grade because it has a deeper meaning than what is actually written.