Jon rates this 4.5 stars, he really liked the ending.

Savannah rates this 1.5

I was surprised at the ending, in that... There wasn't really an ending. Then Savannah informed me this was only book 1 of a trilogy, which made more sense. ( )

I think this is a great book for elementary/middle grade. I didn't feel like the book was outrageous that it isn't believable. I loved the characters and the way they interacted. They really do act like what 9, 11, and 13 year olds would act like. ( )

Great exciting adventure for kids, no inappropriate content. My only criticism is that it is basically one book chopped into three sections and published as three books and, while I understand the value of doubt that for a lot of kids who can be overwhelmed by a large book, it is really annoying to me when I just want to read the complete story all at once. ( )

"It was day four at sea, and as far as eleven-year-old Carter Benson was concerned, life didn't get any better than this."
Stranded is written by Jeff Probst, the host of TV's Survivor. Who better to write a story about a family stranded on a deserted island, right? His coauthor is Chris Tebbetts who helped write the Middle School stories with James Patterson.

The story is fast paced and easy to read. Vanessa and Buzz's father married Carter and Jane's mother. While their parents are on their honeymoon, Uncle Dexter is taking the kids on a sailing adventure. This trip is supposed to help the new siblings get to know each other better. That doesn't seem to working and the weather isn't helping. Uncle Dex has been trying to steer them around the storm, but the weather keeps getting worse. When the ship starts taking on water, Dex attempts to get everyone into the life boat. However, the lifeboat is pulled away by the storm and the kids are left alone on the ship. The ship crashes on a deserted island and the kids are left to fend for themselves.

This is an exciting adventure that young readers will enjoy. Both boys and girls will find connections with these kids. They each have their own strengths and pull together when it matters. Any kid who enjoys adventure stories will like this book. This is the first in a series and the end of the book isn't the end of the story. If your kids enjoy this book, I'm sure they will want to read the sequels. I think this book will appeal to reluctant readers and avid readers alike. I read it in one day and enjoyed it. ( )

Recommend to students who like the Gordon Korman trilogies. ( )

I had no idea who Jeff Probst was, I just saw this and thought "survival adventure!" and "it's short!" and grabbed it at an ALA conference. Um....several years ago. Yes, I am just now digging into my backlog of middle grade fiction.

Four kids are sailing in the middle of nowhere with their uncle and his friend. Vanessa is the oldest, her younger brother Buzz would rather be anywhere else (preferably somewhere with a tv and no seasickness) and they can't imagine ever being a family with their new siblings, arrogant, athletic Carter and his super-smart little sister Jane.

Then their boat wrecks, the adults are swept away on their only lifeboat, and the four kids are stranded on a tiny island. Will they learn to work together to survive, or will risky decisions, arguments, and the natural dangers that surround them take them down one by one?

This isn't great literature. The characters are one-dimensional, identified mostly by a single characteristic (Vanessa - bossy; Buzz - tv/games obsessed; Carter - athletic; Jane - child prodigy) and there are several info dumps and passages about mechanics of things (fixing a solar panel) that I found boring. The writing is rather bland.

It will check out like crazy. Is the writing as good as, say, Gordon Korman's adventure stories? No. But it's exciting, kids like the informational spots, and it's got enough family drama to keep those not interested in survival stories reading.

Verdict: Great literature? Nope. A fun, fast-paced story that will appeal to a wide range of readers? Yes. Bonus, it's less than 200 pages (you can purchase the first three volumes in one book, but I think that kind of defeats the purpose). If you have all Gordon Korman's adventure series and need more - and who doesn't? I recommend this series.

ISBN: 9780142424247; Published 2013 by Penguin; ARC provided by publisher at ALA; Added to the library's order list

OMG i LOVED this ADVENTUROUS CRAZY ADVENTURE where kids were put on a unknown island ALL BY THEIR SELVES!!! Cant wait to finish the series! ( )