Lost in the River of Grass (Carolrhoda Ya) by Ginny Rorby
Every so often, a book hits all the emotions of the reader and makes you sigh as you turn the last page. This was one of those books.
Ginny Rorby creates two kids who are just outside the margins of society - Alex lives an isolated life off the beaten path and Sarah who is scorned and taunted by a small group of popular girls on a weekend field trip (who hasn't been taunted like that?) We immediately identify with the main character, Sarah, and feel her pain and isolation in the midst of a group of mean kids. She isn't looking forward to yet another day of taunting. Of course she sneaks off for a boat ride with the charming Alex. What could go wrong? Unfortunately the boat sinks and they get stuck out in the middle of the Florida everglades and have no choice but to try to navigate their way out - no spoiler here - it happens in the beginning of the book.
Rorby wrote this book in first person present tense - something that always to seems to bring a story more to life, or perhaps it was just her artful prose that did that. She brings to life the danger of the everglades as well as the beauty of it as she writes 90% of the book as a narrative of Sarah and Alex's journey out. You can feel the mosquitoes buzzing, feel the blisters on the feet, feel the hunger and thirst they struggle with. Rorby brought the scene alive through use of all the senses.
This book is a great book for young adults and those who are young at heart ... or someone who just loves an excellent journey through a book well crafted.
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