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Trapped
Matt is counting down the days until he turns sixteen . He's been living with his foster parents in Yukon River valley in their isolated cabin. His plan is to leave and never come back. He is done with the harsh lifestyle and helping his abusive foster dad, Dan, run the traplines so he can make money selling animal furs. He can't wait to start a new life on his own in the city. But when Matt discovers a big and valuable gold nugget, everything changes. What seems like a dream come true and an easy way out quickly turns into a nightmare that will test Matt's wilderness survival skills to the fullest. This high-interest Orca Anchor title is written specifically for teens reading below a grade 2.0 level.
96 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2022
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Sigmund Brouwer
255 books408 followersSigmund loves going to schools to get kids excited about reading, reaching roughly 80,000 students a year through his Rock&Roll Literacy Show.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 3, 2022
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Trapped in exchange for an honest review!
I think this was a really good use of hi-lo storytelling to deliver a unique story that has the potential to both be interesting and digestible by teen readers. It is fairly short (intentionally, most hi-lo books are) so I don't think it'll really stick with me for long, but it was a fast, unique read.
I think this was a really good use of hi-lo storytelling to deliver a unique story that has the potential to both be interesting and digestible by teen readers. It is fairly short (intentionally, most hi-lo books are) so I don't think it'll really stick with me for long, but it was a fast, unique read.
February 15, 2022
Quick exciting story
Matt is 15 years old and lives near Dawson City in Yukon Territory, Canada with his foster mother who is a drunk and his abusive foster father.
He runs trap lines with his foster father and hates hurting animals. He is planning on leaving the foster home soon when he turns 16 years old.
One day while he's checking the trap lines he finds a huge gold nugget but must figure out how to hide it from his foster father and escape.
This was a quick easy read aimed towards readers that need extra help with reading. It was fast paced and sure to keep the interest of a pre-teen or teen reader or even adult readers that need a bit of help with reading. I know I enjoyed the story itself and I read just fine.
I received this book from Orca Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Matt is 15 years old and lives near Dawson City in Yukon Territory, Canada with his foster mother who is a drunk and his abusive foster father.
He runs trap lines with his foster father and hates hurting animals. He is planning on leaving the foster home soon when he turns 16 years old.
One day while he's checking the trap lines he finds a huge gold nugget but must figure out how to hide it from his foster father and escape.
This was a quick easy read aimed towards readers that need extra help with reading. It was fast paced and sure to keep the interest of a pre-teen or teen reader or even adult readers that need a bit of help with reading. I know I enjoyed the story itself and I read just fine.
I received this book from Orca Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
March 16, 2022
Rating: 4/5 stars.
“Trapped” by Sigmund Brouwer is at heart a story of survival. As part of the Orca Anchor series of novels, this is a hi-lo book, meaning that while it has a lower reading level, its subject matter is of high interest to a teen audience. Short and to the point, the action never ceases. This helps make it an engaging book, suitable for teen readers that are struggling to read, or have difficulty staying focused on longer novels.
I really like how, in the front matter, the publisher mentions the material and font choices for the paperback version. It further shows their dedication to creating a book that is highly accessible for the target audience.
The plot, centered around a teenager who is struggling in an abusive foster home, is a classic coming-of-age story that is relatable to many people. Very Canadian at heart, the focus is on hunting and trapping beavers. While not overly graphic, these details might turn off some readers from the book.
I highly recommend this novella for teen readers looking for a short and engaging book, that is something they can read for fun and leisure.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*
“Trapped” by Sigmund Brouwer is at heart a story of survival. As part of the Orca Anchor series of novels, this is a hi-lo book, meaning that while it has a lower reading level, its subject matter is of high interest to a teen audience. Short and to the point, the action never ceases. This helps make it an engaging book, suitable for teen readers that are struggling to read, or have difficulty staying focused on longer novels.
I really like how, in the front matter, the publisher mentions the material and font choices for the paperback version. It further shows their dedication to creating a book that is highly accessible for the target audience.
The plot, centered around a teenager who is struggling in an abusive foster home, is a classic coming-of-age story that is relatable to many people. Very Canadian at heart, the focus is on hunting and trapping beavers. While not overly graphic, these details might turn off some readers from the book.
I highly recommend this novella for teen readers looking for a short and engaging book, that is something they can read for fun and leisure.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*
February 4, 2022
Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
At the age of 16, a young man living with a step-father really doesn’t have a life of his own. Dan, the foster father, is a trapper and makes a living selling beaver pelts to clothing companies. Matt is nearly his size and is required to keep half of the trap lines going each day. Dan has the time to check the traps down to the minute and checks the backpack of pelts that the young man carries every time they check the traps.
A trapped beaver has a broken leg and cannot get into the beaver lodge. The young man takes pity on the animal and releases it. He checks the lodge and discovers a heavy fist-sized hunk of gold nugget. How can he keep this from his foster father? The nugget is the ticket to his freedom!
Dan tracks his foster son’s footsteps in Dawson and gets wind of the nugget. He bullies the young man to get the nugget. The situation turns desperate. How can the young man protect his windfall and leave the abusive foster dad?
This is a fast-moving and well-written drama of a young man at life’s crossroads. Sigmund Brower writes a compelling, believable page-turner that is short but very believable.
We received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are his honest opinions.
At the age of 16, a young man living with a step-father really doesn’t have a life of his own. Dan, the foster father, is a trapper and makes a living selling beaver pelts to clothing companies. Matt is nearly his size and is required to keep half of the trap lines going each day. Dan has the time to check the traps down to the minute and checks the backpack of pelts that the young man carries every time they check the traps.
A trapped beaver has a broken leg and cannot get into the beaver lodge. The young man takes pity on the animal and releases it. He checks the lodge and discovers a heavy fist-sized hunk of gold nugget. How can he keep this from his foster father? The nugget is the ticket to his freedom!
Dan tracks his foster son’s footsteps in Dawson and gets wind of the nugget. He bullies the young man to get the nugget. The situation turns desperate. How can the young man protect his windfall and leave the abusive foster dad?
This is a fast-moving and well-written drama of a young man at life’s crossroads. Sigmund Brower writes a compelling, believable page-turner that is short but very believable.
We received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are his honest opinions.
February 21, 2025
This is a high interest, low reading level book. Because of the low level readability, it has short sentences that reads a little choppy for frequent readers. But this does not take away from the story and is helpful for reading comprehension for reluctant readers. I loved that although it is intended for struggling readers, it still maintains a higher maturity level for teens.
My heart was racing the whole time and I really enjoyed the story line! This would be perfect for your reluctant reader who loves a thrilling read with an added survival element!
TW: foster parent abuse
My heart was racing the whole time and I really enjoyed the story line! This would be perfect for your reluctant reader who loves a thrilling read with an added survival element!
TW: foster parent abuse
June 30, 2022
While I really liked the book, I was disappointed with the length of it. To me, it seemed more of a short story and not even a novella. Perhaps it is due to the fact so many do not read or the appeal would be to those who spend too much time gaming.
July 19, 2023
This book had a good premise. But the writing is lackluster and it reads as if it was intended to be a much longer story that was never completed or fleshed out due to a loss of interest by the author.
June 9, 2022
A short story packed with action and suspense to keep readers reading! I wanted to know so much more at the end!
June 23, 2022
Wow, what a ride! Short and easy to read, this YA book moves fast and is action packed. Definite recommend for teens who don't like to read or have a low reading level.
June 24, 2024
A wow of a read! Very exciting and suspenseful to read.
October 10, 2024
The story was so gripping.
May 25, 2025
Just okay.
Read
January 9, 2023Super quick read, hi-lo book (very simple) that might interest some reluctant readers.
A boy living with his abusive foster parents in the Yukon finds a giant gold nugget and must figure out how to escape with it.
A boy living with his abusive foster parents in the Yukon finds a giant gold nugget and must figure out how to escape with it.
February 6, 2022
This book was a very thrilling young adult read for me. This book follows a 15-year-old boy named Matt who is sick and tired of living with a bad quality of life with his drunk foster mom and his abusive foster father. Matt is a sweetheart he hates having to hurt animals and he's forced to do so to make money from animal furs for his foster father.
One day, Matt discovers a giant golden nugget.
Then his paranoia kicks in with the amount of money he could get from this, and finally leave this unlovable home. He doesn't know where to hide the nugget so the foster father can't steal it from him. Soon his paranoid thoughts aren't irrational, It's like a game of cat and mouse, and to beat each other at their own game. All Matt wants to do is leave, find his own place one day, and make a better life for himself elsewhere.
I give this Young Adult Novel a rating of 4/5 stars because
I have many questions about the ending?
TW: Foster abuse
One day, Matt discovers a giant golden nugget.
Then his paranoia kicks in with the amount of money he could get from this, and finally leave this unlovable home. He doesn't know where to hide the nugget so the foster father can't steal it from him. Soon his paranoid thoughts aren't irrational, It's like a game of cat and mouse, and to beat each other at their own game. All Matt wants to do is leave, find his own place one day, and make a better life for himself elsewhere.
I give this Young Adult Novel a rating of 4/5 stars because
I have many questions about the ending?
TW: Foster abuse
Read
August 26, 2022DNF - the writing was awful
February 7, 2024
Matt is counting down the days until he turns sixteen.
He's been living with his foster parents in Yukon River Valley in their isolated cabin. His plan is to leave and never come back. He is done with the harsh lifestyle and helping his abusive foster dad, Dan, run the traplines so he can make money selling animal furs. He can't wait to start a new life on his own in the city. But when Matt discovers a big and valuable gold nugget, everything changes. What seems like a dream come true and an easy way out quickly turns into a nightmare that will test Matt's wilderness survival skills to the fullest.
He's been living with his foster parents in Yukon River Valley in their isolated cabin. His plan is to leave and never come back. He is done with the harsh lifestyle and helping his abusive foster dad, Dan, run the traplines so he can make money selling animal furs. He can't wait to start a new life on his own in the city. But when Matt discovers a big and valuable gold nugget, everything changes. What seems like a dream come true and an easy way out quickly turns into a nightmare that will test Matt's wilderness survival skills to the fullest.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews