Distress Signal

by Mary E. Lambert

In this survival story, four classmates are stranded in a desert wilderness after a flash flood separates them from the rest of their grade. Can they make it to safety?

Lavender's class is on a field trip in the desert of Chiricahua National Park, hiking down a ravine, when a flash flood strikes! As the water hurtles down the ravine, everyone sprints for safety. Lavender runs in the opposite direction as the rest of her class and scrambles up a tree while the torrential river rages by.

When the waters finally recede, Lavender finds herself stranded in the brutal heat of the desert with only her ex-best friend Marisol, mean-girl Rachelle, and a boy named John. They are shaken, disoriented, and have just one pack of supplies and the most basic wilderness knowledge. Can they find their way back to safety? They will have to learn to work together in spite of their differences -- if they want to survive.

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

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2020

About the author

Mary E. Lambert has an MFA in children's writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a middle school English teacher in Tempe, Arizona.

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lavender was excited about science camp until her best friend Marisol ditched her for the awful Rachelle and she has to sit next to John on the bus. Lavender decides to get even by telling Marisol and Rachelle during a break in the hike that people are playing sardines, when they aren't. But soon after, Lavender hears that there's a flash flood warning. She alerts the teachers just in time to get the rest of the class moving to higher ground, but she realizes she needs to find and warn Marisol and Rachelle. John notices what is going on and joins her in the search. Just after they find the other girls, a wall of water heads towards them and they must scramble for anything above the reach of the water. And when the waters recede a little, they are cut off from the rest of the class. With only the things they have with them, the four must find a way to get back to civilization on their own and survive the desert, while also dealing with their own secrets and hurts.

Oh boy, at the beginning of this book I could not stand Lavender one bit. She was rather mean and completely blind to it. She does make a lot of progress and grows through the book, so I ended up liking her by the end. Lavender isn't the only one that has a lot of growing to do. Marisol, Rachelle, and John all have their own issues too. And it ends up with some great advice about healthy boundaries in friendships. This was also a pretty realistic survival book. Most of them are clueless how to find food, water, do basic first aid, or even build a fire. Their combined knowledge allows them to just squeak by, but it is a near thing. Recommended to those who like realistic friendship stories and survival stories.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some perilous situations and some get injured, a broken bone is described. One child is dealing with parents going through a messy divorce, another had a very sick sibling.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I had a problem with the main character Lavender through most of this. She was so unlikable & constantly complaining. The part that didn't make any sense was when another character shared something super personal and hard and she just brushed them off. Having read Dusti Bowlings excellent The Canyon's Edge last year, this one really fell flat for me.

[Sydney Scarlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lavender is self aggrandizing and egotistical to a fault, and learns quickly on her school trip to science camp just how that might affect her socially and physically.

The wilderness scenes as the kids were stranded were melodramatic but tolerable. John’s storyline was obvious from a mile away, and there was no groundbreaking lesson here: trauma bonding, not judging a book by its cover, growing up and maturing, etc.

While Lavender hated Rachelle, I loved seeing her internal monologues about her “true self” and how much she needed to trick her former best friend Marisol into abandoning her new friend. Lavender is so catty that it was fun seeing where that would take her, and how she navigated her crazy experience in the wilderness with her conflicting characterization as a girl who: loves science but knows nothing about wilderness safety or first aid, values Marisol so much that she endangers her while trying to prove her wrong, and has passed her radio certification test but somehow can’t use the repeater the whole book. There was definitely some deus ex machina solutions to some of the kids’ problems, but overall it was a light, adventurous read.

[Ethan F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Mary E. Lambert, who is a Junior High English teacher, has published her second novel about four middle school kids getting separated from their class during a flash flood. Will they survive and be able to find their class again?

In the beginning, Marisol and Lavender were best friends, but when Lavender steals the show, Marisol is disappointed and doesn’t want to talk to Lavender.

Three days later, on Monday, Lavender leaves to go to Science Camp at Chiricahua with her classmates. Unfortunately, the money for a new telescope the class raised had been stolen. The next day, the class goes on a hike.

Lavender uses the radio she brought to listen to the weather and hears that there will be a flash flood happening soon nearby her class. She starts alerting her class about the warning and most of the class climbs up to safety.

When the flash flood occurs, Lavender, John, Rachelle, and Marisol climb a tree in hope of survival. As the class searches their way back, Lavender, Marisol, Rachelle, and John have to find them. They have to work together to make it out alive.

I liked this book because it is very interesting and the imagery is very detailed so I can picture myself in the wilderness with Lavender and her friends as they set off to find their class. I got more curious about what is going to happen to them as I got closer and closer to the end. I liked how they worked together to overcome their problems. I enjoyed the ending and the events that led up to it. It was interesting to discover how they could find their class because they didn’t have a telescope. All they had was a radio, water, other useful things, and each other. I was glad that they worked together and became friends in the end and that they also admitted their secrets.

[Sally Kruger]

DISTRESS SIGNAL by Mary E. Lambert will keep you on the edge of your seat. A class field trip into the desert has four students running for their lives.

Lavender has been looking forward to the science field trip, but things aren't working out how she planned. She thought she would be sitting on the bus next her BFF Marisol, but Marisol is hanging out with someone else. Rachelle has never been Lavender's favorite person. Why is Marisol so interested in her?

As they board the bus, Lavender ends up sitting with John and watching as Marisol and Rachelle laugh and carry on all the way to the desert. Lavender has a plan to get even with the girls, unfortunately, a flash flood warning has her desperately rethinking her plans.

Lavender attempts to warn the girls, but the flash flood ends up separating Lavender, Marisol, Rachelle, and John from the rest of their class. They manage to survive the flood only to face a dwindling water supply, little food, cold nights, and even a bear.

Author Mary E. Lambert takes readers on a survival adventure in the mountainous desert. Her characters learn to depend on each other as they discover what true friendship means. DISTRESS SIGNAL is perfect for middle grade classrooms and libraries.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I was annoyed by Lavender for most of the book. I did not like how I thought she came across on the page, because she did not come across as a good person. Now this view did change as the book progressed as Lavender undergo a character development.

I thought the survival story was good, until the end. There was a detail that was revealed, which made me feel like the survival aspect was just vehicle for the relationships for Lauren, Marisol, Rachelle, and John. I mean the characters themselves even recognized this part as well.

Verdict: The survival story was pretty good, but I was annoyed by Lauren and that colored my view of this book.

[Suzanne Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book at the pool where there was nothing else to read, and for the first several chapters I was ready to put it back down. The main character, Lavender, was trite and obnoxious. Plenty of children’s literature is written for children but able to be appreciated by all ages, and I was sure that this was NOT one of those reads. I kept reading because I had nothing else to do for a couple of hours. Thankfully, the character and book began to change. I enjoyed reading the rest of the book. It had good messages of friendship & forgiveness, and helps open one’s eyes to see that people may be different on the inside than what they seem.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a middle-school book and I need to remember that as I'm writing this review. It was a little hokey and wasn't in love with the whiny main character, Lavender. I also thought it was a little cheesy throwing in Nalgene water bottle instead of just saying water bottle. There were several things like that where I felt like the author was trying to throw in "cool" references.

Also, Lavender was sure accomplished for her 11 or 12 short years (6th grade). She knew what she wanted to be when she grew up, winner of the science fair, sings, conducts musical groups and it goes on and on. Maybe she could be a little less obnoxious.

[Mandee Massay · Rating 3 out of 5]

hardcopy. S book club, October meeting.

Know it's for kids, but overall I think all of the characters were not very nice. and yes, they all grew and learned to work together, but even that was very predictable.

Lavender.
Marisol.
Rachelle.
John.

positive lesson: never know what other people are going thru, so be nice snd it's okay to have hard conversations.

things I didn't like:
if John would have been willing to dump out his entire pack earlier, Lavender would have had the number for the repeater much earlier, and they could have been rescued sooner. so yes, great that they all came together, but they went through 2 very difficult nights which could have been avoided.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually read survival stories, and it’s been years since I stayed up half the night to finish a book, but I polished off this gem in one sitting. I will definitely be recommending it to my students- especially fans of Night of the Howling Dogs, Gary Paulsen, and Holes. Why Holes? Because more than just a survival story, Distress Signal is a redemption story. I think that’s why I loved it.

“Friends, Lavender decided, were like that improbable little stream that was going to save all their lives. They were water in the desert.”

[Isabella Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the other people reviewing this book I could not stand the main character. I almost stopped reading this book because of how unlikeable she was. I decided I’d wait until the book began picking up to stop reading to see if I truly disliked it. I did not stop reading clearly. I throughly enjoyed the book and was honestly thinking this book would begin to take a very dark turn near the end. Back on to my main character point even after all was said and done SHE STILL JUDGED RACHELLE (the girl she was judging since the moment Lavender saw her).

[Alexis C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a group of kids that Broke off from there class, after being caught in a flash flood the kids need to survive until someone comes to there rescue. The main character, lavender, judges someone from how they appear, then realizes they aren��t so different after all.

Lavender realized who she truly was, they learned not to judge a book by there cover. They overcame many challenges and survived without water or food and even a broken ankle.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lavender has a ham radio that warns her class of a flash flood coming. She is separated, with ex=bestie Marisol, mean Rachelle and quiet John in desert with few supplies, no water. Of course the classmates learn more about each other, how to cooperate. Her radio needs coordinate numbers her dad wrote on a scrap of paper to send Mayday. Story seems oriented to sixth grade, kids keen on ham radio, not rest of world.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four classmates are stranded in a remote desert park in Arizona by a flash flood. They need to figure out how to survive with little food or water and they need to figure out how to work together to overcome injuries and wild animal encounters. Lavender must figure out how to get along with her ex-best friend and her ex-bf's new best friend and a quiet classmate all while worrying that she is the reason for their predicament.

[Kate B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author dealt thoughtfully with complex relationships between a group of middle schoolers and their families. It was encouraging to watch the main characters grow, begin to learn how to listen to one another, develop empathy, and admit their own shortcomings. And it was all set within an exciting desert environment with mini science tidbits peppered in. I also loved the little hidden topographic map on the hardcover!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and WOW this was a good one. The at a first look the story itself seems like just a action filled thriller. But on the inside it is SO much more. I usually never look at anything that is not realistic fiction but this book is not just action but Lavender has to deal with some friends issues. Having a best friend can be hard and this book has a deeper plot of not only surviving but dealing with friends and people that she thinks are horrible and snotty.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a child I loved survival stories and this was a pretty cute one. I liked that the children worked together and all had pertinent knowledge that helped in their survival, but also all made mistakes that jeopardized their lives. The lessons were not particularly subtle for Lavender or the reader, but that may be my perspective as an adult rather than the age the book is intended for.

[Livvy]

distress signal is a miracle of modern times itg shows the true thought of a sixth grader because i had a similar problem in fifth grade and i had thought like that i should embarass her so i can get my friend back and it did not work out to my dismay but this book must have been written by a sixth grader only because the emotions were so real

[Gina Earnst · Rating 4 out of 5]

his book is an excellent choice for young readers. It follows four lost children who grow and mature as their journey unfolds. Along the way, they discover that they aren’t the only ones facing challenges, and by learning more about one another, they develop mutual respect and ultimately gain deeper understanding of themselves.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hand to kids who liked Wildfire by Philbrick and The Disaster Days. I found girl drama annoying, but kids may not. At times the story slowed a bit, but then Lambert added a plot twist or a character reveal that will keep readers reading.

[G.F. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action never stops in this book as four middle school frenemies have to survive the harsh Arizona wilderness and learn to get along with each other. My 8yo and I were on the edge of our seats at the end of every chapter and ended up cuddling and crying by the end. This is the perfect read for fans of the I Survived series. Highly recommended!

[Sandy Sopko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four sixth graders cut off from their campmates by a flash floods in Arizona have to work through interpersonal issues to work together to survive until help arrives. Lots of drama, very relatable for muggle grades readers. Really enjoyed it!

[Karen Hsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book surprised me with its harrowing almost-death narrative. I know it's a survival story, but I did not expect the kids to come to the brink of death more than once. Wow, just wow.

Lambert is a master of building plot, and this one did not disappoint!

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very exciting, fast paced adventure story about four kids who are out on a school camping trip and get separated from their class. They have to figure out how to get back or get someone's attention so they can get back to civilization.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lavender's class is hiking in the desert when a flash flood hits. She and 3 of her classmates are separated from the rest of the class and have to survive by themselves for days until they can get a signal to the outside world.

For fans of Hatchet. Good survival story and perseverance.

[Alexandra Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wholesome middle grade novel with a great survival story. I really enjoyed it! It has some corny moments, but that's to be expected with middle grade novels. Definitely recommend for that age group!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the accuracy with which the author portrays the four sixth-graders who get lost. They aren't perfect. They bicker. They hold grudges and they forgive. The plot never bogged down and the atmosphere was intense.

[Felicity Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast read that engrossed me from beginning to end. It's been a while since I've read a children stranded in the wilderness story, and the relationships between characters kept me engaged. Even though the story has a predictable ending, I was engaged the whole way and the end was very satisfying.

[Lalaknits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read. A survival story makes 4 very different teens work together. Told from a single point of view. All the characters are flawed in some way. Would be good to pair with Wildfire

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like a good andenture, survival, natural disaster story. And this I think had some good themes about friendship and perception and trust. I would recommend this for the kids in my life.