96 Miles, J. L. Esplin
96 Miles, J. L. Esplin
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

96 Miles

Author: J. L. Esplin

Narrator: Robbie Daymond

Unabridged: 8 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/11/2020


Synopsis

For fans of Gary Paulsen’s classic Hatchet and Lauren Tarshis’s bestselling I Survived series, J. L. Esplin's 96 Miles is a story of survival and desperation as two young brothers confront the worst in humanity—and themselves.

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 believer in self-reliance, has stockpiled enough food and water at their isolated Nevada home to last for months. But when they are robbed of all their supplies 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. Along the way, they’re forced to question their dad’s insistence on self-reliance and ask just what it is that we owe to our neighbors, our kin, and to ourselves.

From talented newcomer J. L. Esplin comes this story of survival and determination as two young brothers confront the unpredictability of human nature in the face of desperate circumstances.

A Macmillan Audio production from Starscape

About J. L. Esplin

J. L. ESPLIN grew up with a Secret Service agent father, who was intent on raising self-reliant kids, prepared for any emergency, especially natural disasters. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the edge of town with her husband and kids. 96 Miles is her first novel. When not writing, she enjoys teaching guitar the fun way, traveling to new places, and coming back home to the desert.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Claude's on December 30, 2020

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 ‘ba......more

Goodreads review by Darla on February 06, 2020

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 m......more

Goodreads review by Najla on April 29, 2021

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 storyte......more

Goodreads review by Mrs. Dunn on September 14, 2024

"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......more