Parents' Guide to

I Am Still Alive

By Lucinda Dyer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Teen survives alone in the wilderness in gripping thriller.

Book Kate Alice Marshall Adventure 2018
I Am Still Alive Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

caraabsher
caraabsher Adult
February 26, 2019
age 12+

Good survival book

This title has:

Educational value
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

I AM STILL ALIVE are the words that 16-year-old Jess Cooper keeps repeating to herself. With only a wolf dog named Bo for company, she finds herself alone in the Canadian wilderness after the murder of her father. Her life in Seattle had been upended after a car crash that killed her mother and left Jess with an injured leg and scarred face. When the court insists on reuniting Jess with the father she hasn't seen since she was 4, she's sent off to live with him in Alaska. But Jess' secretive survivalist father isn't in Alaska, he's moved to a remote cabin in the Canadian wilderness that's only accessible by seaplane. The reunion doesn't go well, as Jess has no intention of staying in a two-room cabin in the middle of nowhere and having to hunt and fish to feed herself. But her father refuses to let her leave, striking a she-really-can't-say-no deal with her: Stay until the next summer, and if she still wants to leave, she can. But before summer's end, her father is murdered and their cabin burned to the ground. Jess is left alone with only a few clothes, a bow and arrow, a hatchet, a can of peaches, and a can of salmon. By smart thinking and using the survival skills her father taught her in the weeks they were together, she and Bo manage to keep themselves alive until the next summer. But will Jess also survive the return of the men who killed her father?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (7):

This spine-tingling, hard-to-put-down teen-against-the-wilderness survival tale includes a strong message about the power of smart thinking and determination. I Am Still Alive does require readers to suspend belief when a convenient plot twist appears, but those instances are outweighed by the sheer volume of factual detail the author offers on things like how to build a weather-resistant shelter and hunt and fish for food. While the story may be set in the wilds of Canada, the lessons it imparts about believing in yourself in tough times, taking time to make a plan, and always moving forward are valuable ones for any reader.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what I Am Still Alive taught them about being determined and resourceful. What personal qualities do you share with Jess that would let you survive in a difficult and challenging situation?

  • Would you ever consider living off the grid, far away from any town? What would the biggest challenges be for you and your family?

  • Did it make you angry that Jess' father refused to let her return to Seattle? What would you have done if you were Jess?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate