Just Keep Walking

by Erin Soderberg Downing (Author)

Just Keep Walking
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

Wild meets Gilmore Girls on the trail in this story of resilience and the healing and restorative power of the nature."A fun, heartfelt tale of adventure, family, and determination that will make you just keep reading." -- Dan Gemeinhart, award-winning author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Two years after her parents' surprising and painful split, twelve-year-old Jo and her mom find themselves on the 100-mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail along Lake Superior's north shore--a journey that Jo had always looked forward to hiking with her dad. It's not a situation that either of them ever predicted they'd find themselves in, yet here they are in the wilderness with their entire lives stuffed into a pair of thirty-pound packs.

Along the trail, they'll suffer through endless aches and pains, scorching heat, and crippling self-doubt. They'll encounter bears, moose, and other wildlife and meet and collect an assortment of unlikely friends. Day after day, Jo will battle the incessant thoughts that come in and out of her head. But as one obstacle after the next continue to test her strength and ultimate survival, Jo will have to confront her greatest fears head on and learn how to be alone.

What begins as a journey to prove to her father that she and her mom can make it on their own turns into a quest to rediscover their strength, build resilience, and prove that they can survive--both for themselves and for each other.

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$7.99

Review quotes

Praise for Controlled Burn

Sensitively wrought... Soderburg Downing meaningfully explores the healing power of nature and the beauty of connecting with family in this vibrantly detailed adventure. — Publisher's Weekly

A gorgeous, tender, wonderful book. Controlled Burn is a testament to the power and beauty of everyday moments of bravery, compassion, and love. — Anne Ursu, author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

A compelling and moving exploration of the bonds of family, overcoming fears, and the power of friendship. — Hena Khan, award-winning author of Amina's Voice

Erin Soderberg Downing
Erin Soderberg Downing has written more than fifty books for kids, tweens, and young adults, including several series for young readers: The Great Peach Experiment (a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection), Puppy Pirates, The Quirks, and Disney's Daring Dreamers Club. She has also published many other novels for middle-grade readers, including Moon Shadow and Controlled Burn. Erin's favorite hobbies are reading, swimming, baking, exploring the woods, traveling with her family, and walking around Minneapolis lakes with her fluffy and mischievous dogs, Wally and Nutmeg. More information can be found at www.erinsoderberg.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781338851397
Lexile Measure
990
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Scholastic Press
Publication date
February 20, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV013020 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Marriage & Divorce
JUV032170 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Camping & Outdoor Activities
Library of Congress categories
-

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