This humorous and informative comic-format guide showcases all things survival in the great outdoors. After getting lost while hiking and later abandoned by her exaggeratedly incompetent grown-up brother (he gets chased away by a bear), protagonist Scout is left alone in the wilderness. She has no communication devices and only half of the gear she needs, but she is determined to pull through. Straightforward narration documents Scout's planning and behavior as she tends to her most immediate priorities of shelter, signals, water, and food. As she confronts each challenge (how to light a fire, use a compass, etc.), readers gain access to her decision-making processes and her persistence and problem-solving skills when tasks don't immediately go as planned. Each survival scenario is presented with tension, but none verges on scary or stressful. A silly cast of talking critters (especially a friendly skunk) lightens the tone, offering clarifications and lots of laugh-out-loud jokes. The thick-lined, brightly colored illustrations are jam-packed with diagrams, labels, and other instructions akin to what one would see in a survival handbook; a variety of layouts and visual perspectives allows for readers to focus on the facts and soak in the beauty of the setting. An appendix includes information on knot-tying, Morse code, first aid, bear safety, skunk scent remedies, and going to the bathroom; resources for further reading; and an author's note.

Scout is hiking in the mountains when her hapless older brother loses their way on the trail.After he runs off, Scout is left to fend for herself and figure out how to make her way back to civilization. She must make a series of choices, including where and how to set up camp, how to make her water drinkable, how to preserve her food supplies, and how to stay safe from numerous dangers. In each scenario, Scout breaks down her options with the help of a friendly talking skunk and decides on an answer for her predicaments. Competent and clearheaded Scout's problem-solving is instructive both because of the breadth of information found here and because of Eaton's methodical approach. This is more of a how-to than a narrative, and readers will learn not only camping and survival skills, but also how to calmly cope with a difficult situation. Comics prove a good medium to relay these skills to their intended audience. Colorful, energetic, cartoon illustrations rotating among wilderness panoramas, close-ups of Scout's gear and tools, and more character-focused images with frequent humorous asides help convey both the basics and plenty of expert-level information like how to use a signal mirror, read a topographic map, or make a fire bow. Scout and her family present White.An enlightening guide for aspiring adventurers. (appendix, further reading, author's note) (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Gr 3–5— Scout and her "nearly professional local guide" older brother are on a backpacking trip in the mountains when it becomes apparent that her brother has no idea what he is doing: after reading the map upside down and losing his GPS and cell phone, he abandons Scout, chased off by a bear. Luckily, Scout knows exactly what to do in this graphic novel guide to the wilderness: she takes stock of her supplies, figures out how to find water and food, and creates a shelter, all while also signaling for help. Callout sections on wilderness safety help reinforce safety measures, and Eaton builds lessons into the story, including reading a topographic map, collecting rainwater, and choosing a location and materials for a shelter. Cartoonlike artwork and an amusing narrative keep things light and readable while imparting helpful lessons. VERDICT An enjoyable read for backyard explorers and wilderness fans alike, this is a great first purchase for graphic novel collections.— Rosemary Kiladitis