NZ Intermediate School Librarians discussion

The fantastically colourful book cover draws you into the Amazon jungle, where 4 children are taking off in a small plane - the pilot is the only adult on board. Fred has been convalescing with a cousin in Brazil and is on his way back home to his emotionally distant father in England. Con's parents are dead, she has a major chip on her shoulders, and she returning to live with her Aunt with whom she does not get on. Siblings Lila and Max do have loving and lovely parents (phew!), and they are off to England to visit relatives. The pilot suffers a probable heart attack (a la Hatchet), the plane crashes in the Amazon jungle, and the four children are left with the seemingly impossible task of firstly surviving in the jungle, and secondly trying to find their way back to civilisation. A great read for adventure / survival story fans (like me). The children encounter numerous life threatening situations and they have to use what little knowledge they have to quickly develop some survival skills. They also have each other to contend with - they are all traumatised, Con is particularily difficult to get along with, and Max is only 5 years old. Impressively the author, Katherine Rundell, spent time in Brazil learning "how not to die" in the rainforest. While the ending requires a certain suspension of disbelief, this certainly won't trouble the targeted audience of upper primary - Intermediate age children. A recommended read from my point of view!