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  • Published: 15 December 2016
  • ISBN: 9780440421672
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $16.99

The Skeleton Tree



Less than 48 hours after twelve-year-old Chris casts off on a trip to sail down the Alaskan coast with his uncle, their boat sinks. The only survivors are Chris and a boy named Frank, who hates Chris immediately. Chris and Frank have no radio, no flares, no food. Suddenly, they've got to find a way to forage, fish, and scavenge supplies from the shore. Chris likes the company of a curious friendly raven more than he likes the prickly Frank. But the boys have to get along if they want to survive.

Because as the days get colder, and the salmon migration ends, survival will take more than sheer force of will. There in the wilderness of Kodiak, they discover a bond they didn't expect, and through it, the compassion and teamwork that might truly be the path to rescue.

A modern-day adventure and classic in the making, in the vein of The Call of the Wild, Hatchet, and The Cay, by award-winning author Iain Lawrence.
 
A Junior Library Guild Selection

Less than forty-eight hours after twelve-year-old Chris sets off on a sailing trip down the Alaskan coast with his uncle, their boat sinks. The only survivors are Chris and a boy named Frank, who hates Chris immediately. Chris and Frank have no radio, no flares, no food. Suddenly, they’ve got to forage, fish, and scavenge the shore for supplies. Chris likes the company of a curious, friendly raven more than he likes the prickly Frank. But the boys have to get along if they want to survive.
 
Because as the days get colder and the salmon migration ends, survival will take more than sheer force of will. Eventually, in the wilderness of Alaska, the boys discover an improbable bond—and the compassion that might truly be the path to rescue.

  • Published: 15 December 2016
  • ISBN: 9780440421672
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $16.99

About the author

Iain Lawrence

Iain Lawrence is the author of numerous acclaimed novels, including THE LIGHTKEEPER’S DAUGHTER, LORD OF THE NUTCRACKER MEN, GHOST BOY, and the High Seas Trilogy: THE WRECKERS, THE SMUGGLERS, and THE BUCCANEERS. The author lives on Gabriola Island, BC.

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Praise for The Skeleton Tree

"Lawrence's muscular prose is a pleasure to read...An emotionally engaging and heart-pounding read." --The Horn Book

"Fans of Hatchet and Lord of the Flies will be drawn to this harrowing survival story from Lawrence, which offers psychological suspense and action in equal measure." --Publisher's Weekly

"The characters are well developed and the plot is fast-paced and suspenseful. Gary Paulsen and Will Hobbs fans will doubtlessly welcome this one." --Booklist