Title: Off the Itinerary: The Search & Rescue Files
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Series: Off the Itinerary, book 4
Major Themes: Wilderness, Rescues, Survival
Synopsis: Seven short stories describe search and rescue events that Marlee found herself involved in in this fourth book in a series.
Several years ago, I got to read the books in the Off the Itinerary series. They were among the few recently published young adult books I’ve come across that I liked! The only problem with them was that people in their mid-teens were involved in relationships with the opposite gender, but even that was healthy and wholesome, the way it was done (my sons just didn’t appreciate it!). So, when I was offered The Search & Rescue Files, it appealed to me.
Publisher’s description:
Marlee and Marshall are now students at the Professional Outdoor Guides School, where Sawyer just graduated. Meanwhile, Lydie is busy training a search-and-rescue dog. In this special edition with seven search-and-rescue stories, the Off the Itinerary characters face new adventures (and misadventures). Adrenaline is high as Marlee faces her fears in a cave rescue, a helicopter evacuation, a swift water rescue, and more! Will Marlee trust that her misadventures are part of a greater plan? If you loved Avalanche, Chased, and Ablaze, you won’t want to miss this collection of short stories.
My thoughts:
One of my sons is involved with search and rescue in our local area, so we hear about their operations. My impression was that the scenarios described in Off the Itinerary: The Search & Rescue Files were fairly accurate. I don’t think the teenagers in these stories would have been allowed to join searches like they were, without being full-time members of the local organization, but otherwise, the stories sounded quite plausible. I am waiting for feedback from my son, though!
I liked seeing Marlee a little more grown up than she was in the other books. Her character has grown and matured a lot through the series. Her relationship with Marshall seems quite healthy, and other than the occasional hug or mention that they enjoyed being together, there was no romance, although it is quite clear that they were a couple.
Marlee had things to work through; she had a couple of traumatic experiences that affected the way she related to people and lived life, but she recognized that and worked to overcome the effects of the trauma. In one story, she made a mistake as a leader of a group, and people suffered from it; she had to learn to forgive herself and move on. She did well at praying or asking others to pray before starting off on a hike or a rescue.
The Search & Rescue Files is good for any teenager who loves the outdoors and being in the wilderness. It is also good for people who like to read about rescues or survival. The scenarios described are portrayed in enough detail that if readers happened to find themselves in a similar situation, remembering these stories could save a life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: There are a few life-threatening situations, but nothing graphic. The worst would be a story in which the missing people had been abducted.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 12 – 15
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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