Survive This Safari

Middle schooler Lucy Spagnola can’t stop thinking about the “stupid panic attack” that prevented her successful completion of the trial to become an ambassador for Ohio’s Wildlands Safari Park Rescue Sanctuary. When she’s invited to participate in the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, she knows she can’t do it, as it would mean competing against all the current ambassadors who witnessed her “complete and total meltdown.” But her older sister Alex, a college student and Wildlands intern, convinces animal expert Lucy to accept the invite. Neighbor Jemma joins the event along with Harrison, who has ADHD, and aspiring horticulturist Trey. Together, the ragtag team works to solve the competition’s puzzles—and then it becomes clear that something is sabotaging their excursion. Though secondary characters are somewhat thinly developed, Lucy’s feelings and personality jump off the page as she navigates wildlife challenges and interpersonal dilemmas and discovers new ways to manage her anxiety. Richards (15 Secrets to Survival) invites readers to join in on the puzzle-solving action via amusing footnotes and cleverly constructed riddles and games in this interactive, escape room–like adventure. Trey is Black; the rest of the protagonists cue as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (Apr.)