15 secrets to survival, p.1
15 Secrets to Survival, page 1
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Text copyright © 2023 by Natalie Richards
Cover art copyright © 2023 by Chelen Ecija
Interior map art copyright © 2023 by Michelle Crowe
Tape art used under license from Shutterstock.com
Torn ripped paper art by Stillfx, lined paper art by the_pixel used under license from stock.adobe.com
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 9780593644126 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780593644133 (lib. bdg.) | ebook ISBN 9780593644140
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
_145334047_
For Lydia, who is so much in the best possible way
You and a Guest Are Cordially Invited to
KNOW AND GROW NATIONAL TRIVIA COMPETITION NIGHT
Monday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m.
Join us in the Lincoln Alternative Middle School Auditorium for head-to-head competitions between our four finalist teams. Each member of the winning team will win a
$1,000 scholarship & $100 gift card
The four-student teams consist of one specialist in each of these areas: Language Arts, History and Geography, Science and Math, Technology and Current Events.
Teams will have forty-five seconds to answer each question. No speaking is permitted, but teams will be able to consult through a special group chat system visible only to other teammates and competition moderators.
For a full list of rules, see the back of the Know and Grow program.
Best of luck to our teams!
QUESTION
Jonas collected 41 walnuts and 48 acorns during his wilderness hike. While he started setting up his campsite at 2:00 p.m., a crafty raccoon started stealing walnuts and acorns. The raccoon stole 3 walnuts and 4 acorns every half hour. At what time will there be the same number of walnuts and acorns left?
A) 4:30
B) 5:30
C) There will never be equal numbers of walnuts and acorns.
D) 8:00
TEAM MOONBEAM’S ANSWER: A
TEAM SUNGLOW’S ANSWER: C
TEAM CLOUDMIST’S ANSWER: B
TEAM STARBRIGHT’S ANSWER: B
Team Starbright Group Chat—Monday, December 4, 7:13 p.m.
CURRENT SCORE: 3 Answers Correct, 2 Answers Incorrect
Emerson Casella: You’re not supposed to log our answer before we check in with each other, Abigail!
Abigail Walters: Why not?
Baxter Phillips: Because Emerson has to be in charge, probably.
Emerson: Because we’re a team. Ugh, you’re so arrogant!
Abigail: But I’m right.
Emerson: You don’t even know that for sure!
QUESTION
Jonas collected 41 walnuts and 48 acorns during his wilderness hike. While he started setting up his campsite at 2:00 p.m., a crafty raccoon started stealing walnuts and acorns. The raccoon stole 3 walnuts and 4 acorns every half hour. At what time will there be the same number of walnuts and acorns left?
A) 4:30
B) 5:30
C) There will never be equal numbers of walnuts and acorns.
D) 8:00
ANSWER B IS CORRECT.
Team Starbright Group Chat—Monday, December 4, 7:15 p.m.
CURRENT SCORE: 4 Answers Correct, 2 Answers Incorrect
Abigail: Told you.
Emerson: You’re such a jerk. We are supposed to work together. You know, like a team!
Turner Casella: Okay, we get it. But Abigail was right, so don’t be so uptight.
Baxter: Ha! That’ll be the day.
Emerson: Stop texting! They’re asking another question.
QUESTION
What are the names of the five Great Lakes?
A) Superior, Huron, Erie, Michigan, Ontario
B) Superior, Champlain, Huron, Erie, Michigan
C) Niagara, Superior, Huron, Erie, Michigan
D) Superior, Erie, Michigan, Ontario, Champlain
Team Starbright Group Chat—Monday, December 4, 7:19 p.m.
CURRENT SCORE: 4 Answers Correct, 2 Answers Incorrect
Turner: It’s A.
Emerson: I’m pretty sure it’s B. I remember learning about Lake Champlain.
Abigail: Turner’s the geography expert, right?
Baxter: Nerdy train expert, more like.
Emerson: Somebody weigh in! I think it’s B. I’m sure of it.
Turner: It’s A. Put in A.
TEAM MOONBEAM’S ANSWER: A
TEAM SUNGLOW’S ANSWER: A
TEAM CLOUDMIST’S ANSWER: A
TEAM STARBRIGHT’S ANSWER: B
QUESTION
What are the names of the five Great Lakes?
A) Superior, Huron, Erie, Michigan, Ontario
B) Superior, Champlain, Huron, Erie, Michigan
C) Tahoe, Superior, Huron, Erie, Michigan
D) Superior, Erie, Michigan, Ontario, Champlain
ANSWER A IS CORRECT.
Team Starbright Group Chat—Monday, December 4, 7:20 p.m.
CURRENT SCORE: 4 Answers Correct, 3 Answers Incorrect
Turner: What?! I said A!
Abigail: Yeah, that is SO messed up.
Baxter: Typical Emerson, if you ask me.
Emerson: What’s that supposed to mean?!
Abigail: You overruled your own twin brother.
Turner: I can’t believe you did that.
Emerson: Fine! I’m sorry! For all we know, they’re wrong about the answer!
Abigail: Oh. Sure. The Know and Grow National Trivia Competition doesn’t fact-check the answers.
Emerson: We don’t have time for this!
QUESTION
What is a computer’s OS?
A) Operating Sequence
B) Operation System
C) Operating Server
D) Operating System
Emerson: Baxter, this one is you, right?
Emerson: Baxter???
Turner: He’s on his phone.
Abigail: I think it’s Operating Sequence.
Turner: I thought it was Operating Server.
Emerson: We only have twenty seconds! I thought it was Operating System!
Turner: Well, you’ve picked every other answer…
Emerson: That’s not true! You’re being a jerk!
Abigail: And you’re being a control freak!
Turner: Just put something in!
Abigail: We’re not going to make it! Hurry!
Baxter: Wait! Where’s the question? Why can’t I see it?
Turner: It’s too la
TEAM MOONBEAM’S ANSWER: D
TEAM SUNGLOW’S ANSWER: C
TEAM CLOUDMIST’S ANSWER: D
TEAM STARBRIGHT’S ANSWER: A
QUESTION
What is a computer’s OS?
A) Operating Sequence
B) Operation System
C) Operating Server
D) Operating System
ANSWER D IS CORRECT.
Baxter: What?! Who picked A?
Abigail: Same person who’s picked everything else.
Turner: Emerson.
Baxter: I didn’t pick A!
Emerson: You didn’t pick ANYTHING!
Baxter: So you picked the dumbest answer possible!
Emerson: At least I’m not the idiot who didn’t answer their own category.
Emerson: We’re going to lose because of you!
Baxter: Relax, we still have three questions. Stop being hysterical.
Abigail: You’re only using that word because Emerson’s a girl!
Turner: Just calm down. And pay attention, Baxter.
Abigail: Don’t tell us to calm down, jerk!
Baxter: Who are you calling a jerk? You’ve been a total snob since our parents signed us up for this.
Turner: Why are you raising your hand, Emerson?
Emerson: Because I want Baxter off this team! He’s a complete slacker, and I’m sick of him!
Baxter: Well, maybe I’m a slacker, but you’re an uptight weirdo with no friends!
Turner: You better watch your mouth—that’s my sister.
Abigail: And you’d better watch your pea-brained macho act!
—CHAT SESSION ENDED BY COMPETITION MODERATOR—
Date: December 9, 5:21 p.m.
To: Dr. Maya Walters, Elizabeth Casella, Will Casella, Allen Phillips, Christy Phillips
From: Ms. Vicki Westwood
Re: Know and Grow Competition Disqualification
Thank you for meeting with me this afternoon regarding the disappointing disqualification of Team Starbright from the Know and Grow competition. As you’re aware, the Code of Conduct for the Know and Grow program is very specific about the use of the Team Chat function, specifically that it should be respectful and productive at all times. Standard moderator review of the live chat sessions revealed that your children failed to adhere to this standard of use. As Know and Grow is an elective half-year course, the students will not have the opportunity to raise their grades to passing marks. However, Emerson, Turner, Baxter, and Abigail may choose to produce a group project together of comparable investment and complexity to replace the grade lost through this disqualification. The project should include elements from each student’s particular academic and personal strengths.
I know you will be speaking with your children regarding the importance of this project, and I hope this winter break offers the opportunity for them to reflect on the power of their words and the importance of working together positively and productively.
Don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Vicki Westwood
Know and Grow Coordinator
Lincoln Alternative Middle School
December 16, 3:25 p.m.—Montana
Our car grinds to a halt at the head of a narrow gravel drive. I look up from the back seat, seeing nothing but trees and mountains in every direction. I slouch lower and feel my throat go tight.
Is this really a fitting punishment? I mean, I already lost my spot on our school’s e-sports team thanks to my active school discipline status. And it was just a few text messages.
Okay, fine, a few text messages and a Know and Grow team disqualification. For the record, they shouldn’t have disqualified us, because we weren’t cheating. We were just sharing our feelings with one another. And by feelings, I mean our dislike for one another. And by dislike, I mean loathing, but I already tried explaining that back when it all happened. That’s when a funny little line showed up between Dad’s eyebrows and Mom put her hand on her chest like she was trying not to cry and I decided that it was probably not a good idea to bring up the fact that it’s kind of Mom’s fault. She’s the one who was all, “You four will make a great team for this class, Baxter.”
Usually our elective courses at Lincoln are kind of awesome. Last year I took a class with three of my friends in a team to build and compete with derby robots. I figured a team trivia competition couldn’t be that bad, even with Emerson, Turner, and Abigail. Didn’t quite have that one right, did I?
Anyway, the day after Mom and Dad met with our teacher, they informed me that I would not be going on the tropical holiday cruise with them over winter break as planned. Instead the other Team Starbright members and I would be going for a weekend of responsibility and teamwork in the remote mountains of Montana with Mom’s uncle Hornsby. And somehow, while doing all that, we’re supposed to think of a group project we can do for replacement credit.
Dad steers around yet another curve. We’ve been weaving through mountains and forests for eight bazillion hours. How are we still in the middle of nowhere? Where are all the cities? Heck, for that matter, where are all the houses? Or farms? I think I’d get excited if I spotted a random barn on the side of the road at this point.
“Doobledee. Cookie.” My baby sister, Vivi, offers this conversation starter from her car seat beside me.
“It sure is beautiful,” Dad says with a low whistle. “I almost wish I could stay with you.”
I doubt it. Dad and the other parents are going to Aruba while we’re here, which is so unfair. But I make a strangled noise that might sound like agreement.
“You may thank me for this, Baxter,” Mom says, her pink nails tap-tap-tapping at her throat while she beams at the snowy pine trees. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”
I squirm in my seat, because this does not feel like an opportunity. A missing-child-in-the-mountains news report, maybe. I know Uncle Hornsby managed summer camps, but is this really the right environment for a school project?
“Coo-kie.” This time Vivi enunciates each syllable clearly, tapping her chubby toddler knee with her pointer finger, just in case Mom wasn’t sure where said cookie should be deposited.
“Just a minute, Peanut,” Mom tells her, grabbing for the diaper bag.
Dad whistles his little up-down tune and shakes his curly hair. “Beautiful!” he says again.
I slouch even lower, until I can barely see over the side of the door and out the window. Not like there’s much to see anyway. Like someone coded an infinite loop of trees, snow, and mountains.
Mom fishes a couple of animal crackers out of a plastic container and hands them to Vivi. Crumbs stick to her pink nails, and she looks at me, her matching pink lips smiling.
“Oh, Pumpkin, I just want the four of you to remember how much history you share. Remember in the third grade when you all went to the state fair? You were precious.”
