96 Miles - J. L. Esplin

Written by J. L. Esplin
Read by Robbie Daymond
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release date: February 11, 2020
Duration: 08:04:26

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.

“Debut novelist Esplin deftly creates a compelling uncertainty through the increasingly dire circumstances that her characters face. The story never drags, due to both the authentic survival tips she sprinkles in—yucca root as a natural detergent—and John’s detailed narration, which lets the reader experience this arduous and tension-filled journey firsthand. More than just a harrowing survival story, Esplin offers a richly layered look at the frustrations of sibling rivalry, the depths of family loyalty, and the challenges of forgiveness. Ages 8–12.”—Publishers Weekly