Because of his success surviving alone in the wilderness for fifty-four days, fifteen-year-old Brian, profoundly changed by his time in the wild, is asked to undergo a similar experience to help scientists learn more about the psychology of survival.

Instead of being rescued from a plane crash, as in the author's book Hatchet, this story portrays what would have happened to Brian had hebeen forced to survive a winter in the wilderness with only his survival pack and hatchet.

When David goes out on his sailboat to scatter his recently deceased uncle's ashes to the wind, he is caught in a fierce storm and must survive many days on his own as he works out his feelings about life and his uncle.

When fifteen-year-old Francis and two younger children lose their way in the wilderness of the Southwest, they face capture at the hands of dangerous men.

Francis, Lottie, and Billy survive a series of hair-raising adventures while on their way west, held together by their goal to find Franci'sfamily on the Oregon Trail.

Because of his success surviving alone in the wilderness for fifty-four days, fifteen-year-old Brian, profoundly changed by his time in the wild, is asked to undergo a similar experience to help scientists learn more about the psychology of survival.