The Wild by Christopher Golden

This is the first book in the Secret Journeys of Jack London series.

Jack's 17 and definitely an adventurer. He's on his way to the Yukon River in Alaska, and the gold rush that's going on there. This trip isn't for the faint at heart--on the way to the river Jack comes across dead horses and men, and others who have already turned back. Jack meets two men on his way--Jim and Merritt--and the three spend the winter together, surviving and waiting for their chance to look for gold.

Things are not as they seem. Jack sees a wolf tracking him in the forest several times, and that wolf seems to save his life at different points during his journey. Jack, Jim, and Merritt are all captured by slavers and "pressed" into service, looking for gold. Their camp is attacked by a Wendigo--a supernatural beast. Jack survives, but barely, and is rescued by a forest sprite who also tries to imprison him. Jack has to use all of his wits and some desperate attempts to save his life.

The first in a series, some of the action is a little over the top. The characters aren't developed as much as the scenery and the action. I haven't read any of Jack London's books, so I may not see how alike or different they compare. The last half of the book went quickly. Getting there took a bit of work.

Taken by Norah McClintock

Stephanie hasn't gotten along with her mom since her dad died and Gregg came into their lives. Her mom seems happy with Gregg but Stephanie can't stop comparing him to her father. She doesn't understand how her mom could have moved on so soon.

But that isn't the only thing going on in Stephanie's life. Two girls matching her description have gone missing, one soon after the other. The first girl's body is found and it's only a matter of time before the second one is too. Everyone has been warned to go nowhere alone, but Stephanie figures the walk home from the bus stop is populated and nothing will happen.

Turns out she was wrong. Finding herself tied up in the middle of unfamiliar woods with no food or water, Stephanie knows she doesn't have long before the serial killer comes back to finish her off. She has to keep her wits about her, escape, and find someone to help. What if she can't find help before the serial killer finds her?

A short but engrossing book. I'm not one much for suspense, but this book pulls it off well. Stephanie does have some wilderness survival training, so most of the book is about her traveling through the woods to find help. The story ends with a twist that isn't all that unexpected, but still works with the story. Lots of action.

Every Little Thing in the World by Nina de Gramont

Sydney is sixteen and has a problem--she's pregnant. And when she and her friend Natalia are caught stealing Natalia's parents' car, neither share Sydney's condition or the fact Sydney was trying to tell Tommy, the baby's father.

The last straw, Sydney is sent to her dad, who then sends her on a canoe trip in Canada for a month. No technology, just a group of teens camping in the wilderness. Then surprise--Natalia's parents think it's a suitable punishment for her as well, and both girls are in the wilderness together. Sydney had hoped she could forget about being pregnant for a while--but Natalia thinks and talks about it through the 4 weeks.

Along for the ride comes boys, friendship, and food poisoning that ends in Sydney's decision about the pregnancy.

Sydney is your typical teenager--she gets into trouble and can't tell her mom the real reason behind it. She forgets about the pregnancy for as long as she can, ignoring the whole issue until she can't anymore. This is one of the rare books that tackles the issue of abortion without being didactic. The only thing I wish is the book had some resources for girls in Sydney's situation. The book is very realistic and poignant.