Review By: Corinne Blair
Author: Erin Soderberg Downing
Published: 2024, scholastic press
Genre: realistic fiction, survival, adventure
Audience: 6, 7, 8
Triggers: None
Summary: Wild meets Gilmore Girls on the Trail, Just Keep Walking is a story of resilience and the healing and restorative power of wilderness and nature from acclaimed middle-grade and chapter-book author Erin Soderberg Downing. Two years after her parents’ surprising and painful split, twelve-year-old Jo and her mom find themselves on the 100-mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail along Lake Superior’s north shore―a journey that Jo had always looked forward to hiking with her dad. It’s not a situation that either of them ever predicted they’d find themselves in, yet here they are in the wilderness with their entire lives stuffed into a pair of thirty-pound packs. Along the trail, they’ll suffer through endless aches and pains, scorching heat, and crippling self-doubt. They’ll encounter bears, moose, and other wildlife and meet and collect an assortment of unlikely friends. Day after day, Jo will battle the incessant thoughts that come in and out of her head. But as one obstacle after the next continue to test her strength and ultimate survival, Jo will have to confront her greatest fears head on and learn how to be alone. What begins as a journey to prove to her father that she and her mom can make it on their own turns into a quest to rediscover their strength, build resilience, and prove that they can survive―both for themselves and for each other.
Review: This is a heartfelt and adventurous novel that explores family relationships, the effects of divorce, and the healing power of nature. It takes place along the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota and follows twelve-year-old Jo and her mother as they take on a challenging 100-mile hike. This journey was originally meant to be with Jo’s father before her parents split up.I really enjoyed this story! I liked how the chapters were broken up by days hiked and where they were. I loved how at the end of most chapters it listed miles hiked, total trail miles, day’s soundtrack and injury/TP count! I think the way that the author wove in parts of Jo’s flashbacks about her father with present tense hiking. This story captures the emotional struggles of a young girl dealing with her parents’ divorce while facing the physical challenges of hiking in the wilderness. One of the novel’s strengths is its realistic portrayal of the evolving relationship between Jo and her mother. Initially strained and awkward, their relationship grows more supportive as they confront the difficulties of the trail together.The novel isn’t just about physical survival; it also addresses the emotional struggles that come with family changes. Jo’s journey to cope with her father’s absence is relatable, making her experiences resonate with readers, especially those facing similar family issues. I think this would be neat to read with students because it is a trail not THAT far from New York. I also really loved the author’s note where she included her OWN hike of the trail with her teenage son to gather research for her novel! She also included a great appendix of pictures of gear or things you might see on trail, like animal scat!
