Parents' Guide to

Trial by Fire: Stranded, Book 2

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Pace picks up in second book of Survivor host's kid series.

Book Jeff Probst , Chris Tebbetts Adventure 2013
Trial by Fire: Stranded, Book 2 Poster Image

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

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What's the Story?

TRIAL BY FIRE continues the story that began with Stranded: Four new step-siblings -- two pairs of siblings -- survive a boat crash only to find themselves alone on a deserted island without food, water, or shelter. In this installment, they learn to make fire, build a makeshift camp, and even try to signal a plane they see circling above. They also face constant peril: Jane is knocked down by a stampede of wild boars, while Connor throws up all night after drinking bad water. A revelation lays the groundwork for the next book in the series.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This installment in the Stranded series moves at a much better pace than the lackluster first book. Readers will quickly move with the characters from one adventure to the next, and they will even learn some things along the way, such as how to make fire without matches -- and the importance of always boiling found water. The authors do a nice job of giving each of the characters his or her own strengths; even un-athletic Buzz has many survival skills, which he picked up from watching reality TV shows. The cliffhanger at the end will certainly entice fans to pick up the next book (due in November 2013).

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what they would do first if they were stranded on an island: start a fire, build a shelter, explore -- or something else? What special skills (or equipment) would be most useful to you?

  • Can you think of other books or movies you've seen about kids or adults stuck on islands? Why is this an intriguing idea for so many of us?

  • Why would the host and executive producer of Survivor, Jeff Probst, be interested in writing this series? Do you think his name helped the first book in the series become a bestseller on the New York Times' list?

  • What do you think will happen next? Do you plan to read the next book, titled Survivors?

Book Details

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