Since his girlfriend dumped him, Jayden has been avoiding school-and life in general.
When his eccentric uncle Mel invites him to help with his biology research at an Australian university, he figures he has nothing to lose. Once he arrives, he discovers Mel is obsessed with finding a new species of lizard and is determined to be the first to discover it. Unfortunately, this means an expedition into the scorching desert heat of the Australian outback...with the increasingly paranoid Mel and an unfriendly biology student named Natalie. Then disaster strikes, and Jayden and Nat find themselves many miles from civilization fighting for their survival.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! Available in Spanish as Desolación.
"Compliments to Stevenson who has succeeded in giving readers a vivid picture...A successful, fast-paced adventure story. Recommended."
– CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"Well-written and intriguing, I read Outback in one sitting. The characters are very well-developed for such a short novel, and I found myself rooting for them at every turn...A fast-paced and enjoyable read for all, but I would definitely recommend this novel for reluctant readers or low level readers."
– Resource Links
"This fast-paced story gives enough descriptive detail to the give the reader a real feel for the scenery…Reluctant readers will gobble it up."
– TriState Young Adult Book Review
"Though short and straightforwardly told, the characters and plot are engaging and it should be a hit with the Hi/Low audience."
– Puget Sound Council for Review of Children's Media
"There's...drama and excitement [in this] survival tale."
– The Horn Book Guide
TriState Young Adult Book Review Committee Book of Note | 2012 | Commended
Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year | 2012 | Commended
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens | 2012 | Commended
Download the Outback Teacher Guide.
