Deadfall

Gr 9 Up—Twins Cory and Ty Bic have stolen a car and are on the run through the wilderness in Oregon. After stopping to investigate deer lying in the middle of a mountain road, they discover fresh tire tracks that go off-road into a ravine. When they reach the wrecked car to investigate, they hear sounds coming from the trunk and no driver in sight. Despite the danger following the brothers, they decide to open the trunk only to find a girl handcuffed, blindfolded, and badly hurt—and someone (presumably the driver of the car) is hunting them. In chapters that alternate between the past and the present, readers will learn about the troubles in the boys' pasts and the current dangers they must endure. This wilderness survival story covers topics of drugs, child abuse, and sex trafficking. Readers will get caught up with the characters and harrowing situation, but extensive dialogue could bog reluctant readers down.