I Survived The California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) (20)

Josh was terrified when he saw the police cars at his house, sure that someone was seriously hurt. He was not prepared to find out his father was accused of a crime. To escape the attention, he and his mom go to California to visit family. His cousin, Holly, shows Josh all around the wilderness by her home and, surprisingly, Josh begins to enjoy himself. When terrible news from home intrudes on his peaceful getaway, he races from the house to try to outrun the storm in his mind. Holly chases after him, but they get caught in a quick-moving forest fire. They must rely on instinct and the fire safety tips they’ve just recently learned if they hope to make it out alive.

This 20th book in the I Survived series does not disappoint. Tarshis has deftly woven a realistic story into a recent disaster of epic proportions. There is terror evident in the characters’ battle for safety, magnified by the fact that these events truly occurred. Facts and research follows the survival story, including an explanation of its conception and an introduction to the people who shared their harrowing personal experiences, giving readers insight into the author’s writing process. Another instant kid favorite.