• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

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.

Robin Stevenson is the award-winning author of more than 25 books for kids and teens, including the board book Pride Colors, the picture book Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story and the nonfiction books Kid Activists and Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle. The first edition of her nonfiction book Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (2016) won a Stonewall Honor and was shortlisted for numerous other awards. Robin lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she attends Pride celebrations with her family every year, but always leaves her dog safely at home.

Robin Stevenson's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Commended, TriState Young Adult Book Review Committee Book of Note
• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year

"There's...drama and excitement [in this] survival tale."

The Horn Book Guide

"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."

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"Compliments to Stevenson who has succeeded in giving readers a vivid picture...A successful, fast-paced adventure story. Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"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

"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