Lost in a Desert (Stranded! Testing the Limits of Survival)
Stranded!: Testing The Limits Of Survival Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
The book 'Lost in a Desert (Stranded! Testing the Limits of Survival)' by Meish Goldish recounts real-life stories of individuals who survived being stranded in desert environments. It details the extreme challenges they faced such as high temperatures, water scarcity, and isolation, including the experience of Mauro Prosperi who was lost during the Marathon of the Sands race in 1994. The book offers engaging first-person narratives, survival techniques, information on desert flora and fauna, and is enriched with large color photos and maps, providing a comprehensive and educational insight into human resilience and desert survival.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt when they realized they were lost? What would you feel in their situation?
What survival skills did the characters use that you think were most effective? Why?
Can you think of other ways the characters could have signaled for help or found food and water?
What have you learned from the book about staying safe in unfamiliar places or situations?
If you were a character in the book, what role do you think you’d play in helping the group survive?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use descriptive scenes from the book to ask your child how they visualize the setting and the challenges the characters face.
Relate the survival tactics in the story to real-world scenarios to make the discussion educational yet engaging.
Encourage your child to express what they would do differently if they were in the characters' shoes, fostering critical thinking.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and leadership as displayed in the book, drawing parallels to everyday situations in school or at home.
Highlight the moral lessons about persistence and resourcefulness, affirming these values in real-life contexts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The characters in 'Lost in a Desert' demonstrate resilience by tackling challenges and finding solutions to survive in extreme conditions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to overcome difficulties in their own lives, whether in school, sports, or other activities, fostering a never-give-up attitude.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness and problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters use their creativity and what limited resources they have available to survive. This exemplifies problem-solving under pressure.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to think creatively and use available resources to solve problems in everyday situations, enhancing their critical thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the story must work together to navigate the challenges of being stranded in the desert, showing that cooperation is essential for overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate effectively with others in group projects at school or in team sports, understanding that working together can achieve greater results than working alone.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to changing situations
Explanation: As the environment and challenges change, the characters adapt their strategies to survive, demonstrating flexibility.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children learn to adapt to change in their own lives, such as moving to a new school or dealing with changes in family dynamics.
Example Lesson: Conservation and respect for nature
Explanation: In their struggle, the characters learn the importance of conserving resources and respecting the environment to survive.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice conservation in their daily lives by using resources wisely and being mindful of their environmental impact.