SURVIVE THIS SAFARI, by Natalie D. Richards, Delacorte Press, April 8, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
A group of kids compete for a chance to become an ambassador at an animal rescue sanctuary in Survive This Safari, by Natalie D. Richards.
Twelve-year old Lucy can’t believe her luck when she is selected for the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, which involves solving a series of mind-bending puzzles to unlock access to new animal habitats across the local safari park. Her team will be racing the Wildlands Ambassadors, a group of student animal experts. And if they win, wildlife-loving Lucy will get the chance to be an ambassador herself!
But this challenge is trickier than Lucy expects—her team is in for a wild ride! Broken locks, downed electronics, and empty animal enclosures are just the start. Lucy discovers something truly terrifying: Wildlands’ beloved baby elephant is on the loose and might be in danger! The team is sure this can’t be part of the competition—and with their walkie-talkie on the fritz, they have no way to call for help.
Their fun puzzle has turned into a serious test, but Lucy and her team will surprise everyone with how they tackle the real Wildlands challenge. —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press
At the center of Survive This Safari is an escape room style competition (think Lindsay Currie’s The Mystery of Locked Rooms) but with animals. The book is full of puzzles — cryptograms, anagrams, crossword and others — that readers are not only invited, but encouraged, to solve.
The story unfolds from Lucy’s point of view, focusing on her dreams and — at times — crippling anxiety. She’s a relatable character who learns to value teamwork and friendship.
Author Natalie D. Richards has a comfortable writing style that draws readers in. Her puzzles are will naturally appeal to kids who like problem solving.
Survive This Safari is a fast-moving middle-grade adventure that skews a little younger. It will resonate with third- through fifth-graders.
About the author:
Natalie D. Richards is the New York Times bestselling author of 49 Miles Alone, Four Found Dead, Seven Dirty Secrets, Five Total Strangers, Six Months Later, and One Was Lost, among other young adult thrillers. 15 Secrets to Survival was her middle-grade debut, and her latest middle-grade adventure story is Survive This Safari. Natalie lives in Ohio with her three children and a ridiculously furry dog named Wookiee. To learn more, visit: nataliedrichards.com.
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