First published 2015
Aaron and Audrey arrive at wilderness camp convinced their differences make them impossible to befriend. Aaron struggles with his own challenges while Audrey faces hers, both feeling like misfits in a world that doesn't understand them. The desert camp forces them together as they navigate demanding terrain and grueling conditions. Neither expects to find connection with another person who seems just as out of place. But the harsh landscape strips away pretenses and reveals something unexpected. As they support each other through physical trials and emotional obstacles, Aaron and Audrey realize they possess exactly what the other needs. Their friendship grows stronger as they face bullying, grapple with where they belong, and learn to manage their physical and mental struggles. The wilderness becomes a place of transformation where two isolated kids discover they can make each other complete.
Genres: friendship, adventure, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Africa, Desert, Wilderness Camp
Period: 21st Century
352 pages · Hardcover · HarperCollins