Can You Survive the Wilderness?

Doeden, M. (2012). Can You Survive the Wilderness. North Mankato, Minn.: Capstone Press.

"It won't be easy, but if you stay calm and make good choices, you might be able to get out alive. Are you ready to find out whether you have what it takes?"

With 3 story paths, 41 choices, and 18 endings, the next generation of 'choose your own ending' books has arrived with this new addition to the "Can you survive..." series. This book is definitely part of the movement, sometimes called 'radical change literature', devoted to giving young readers more interactive and engaging reading experiences. While the 'choose your own ending' is nothing new, this book incorporates bright, high contrast photos, various types and colours of font, and non-fiction features like text boxes, glossary, internet links, an appendix of real survivors and a survival quiz. From the first page that outlines how to use the book in widely spaced and easy to read font, this book is very accessible. The adventure can be played out in three different settings: Alaska, Australia, or the Cascade Mountains. Each adventure has between 3 and 6 choices before you reach "The End" - either survival or not. Poor decisions lead to your death, but the descriptions are short and matter of fact with no gory details. Rather like beating the levels of a game or figuring out a puzzle this book is quite addicting.  I kept going back to make another choice or try a different adventure.

Intermediate, Young Adult (reluctant readers)